Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): UEFA C - DEFENDING PRINCIPLES FULL SESSION

SCREENING FORWARD PASS & INTERCEPTING (15 mins)

Screening Forward Passes and Intercepting

 

Overview:

This practice takes place in an appropriately sized area according to the age and stage of the players. Position a line of cones as a half-way line to divide the area into 2 zones. A server is stationed at the side of the pitch with a supply of footballs. In both halves of the area, 3 players are positioned with a 4th player on the end lines. Each team’s 4th player is on the opposite side of the area furthest from them. To start the practice, the server passes in to either team who look to move the ball quickly among each other whilst looking for an opportunity to play a penetrating break line pass to their team-mate. The defending team have to work together to prevent the ball being passed through their unit. If the possession team successfully find their team-mate, they score a point and the server then plays a ball into the other team to go the opposite way. If the defending team intercept the ball, they become the possession team and try to find their team-mate with a split pass.

Coaching Points:

Defensive Organisation: The 3 players when working out of possession need to try and stay organised and adjust their positions according to the direction in which the possession team pass the ball. Their distances must be compact but not too narrow which would allow for passes to be played around the outside of their unit. Likewise, their defensive position should avoid being in a straight line which makes it easier for the passers to break their press.

Angles And Distances: The nearest player to the ball carrier at any one time must move towards the ball to close their space down preventing a forward pass. The supporting angles and distances of their team-mates play a crucial role. The next nearest defender must be slightly deeper than the presser and in a position to squeeze up should the ball be passed sideways.
The furthest defender acts as cover and can afford to be even deeper by marking space rather than an opponent. In the event of a short switch, this player then pushes up to apply more direct pressure to the receiving player.

Footwork And Body Shape: The defender’s footwork is vital to them moving effectively across the area. The practice encourages them to work on their lateral movement from side to side when constantly having to shuffle in line with the direction the ball is being passed by the possession team. The defender’s must, at all times, adopt an open body shape to see the ball and their nearest opponent.

Communication: Players should verbally instruct their team-mates when to press the ball to ensure effective engagement of the player receiving. They can also communicate non-verbally with their movement triggers and eye contact forming a positive connection between each other. This is particularly applicable when the supporting and covering defenders observe their team-mate pressing and then take up the required defensive positions.

Progressions:

• Increase the size of the area to raise the challenge for the defensive team by having more ground to cover.
• Add a 2nd target player on the outside to increase the passing options for the possession team.

Regressions:

• Decrease the size of the playing area so that passes are played over shorter distances and the defensive actions are less challenging.
• Add a constraint that all switch passes to the target players must be with 1 touch.

BOX CLEVER - 7V7 SSG (20 mins)

Box Clever SSG 7v7 – Defending The MIdfield 

Overview:

Setup a small sided pitch and have 7 v 7 game with the middle third area split into 3 boxes. The teams setup in a 1-2-3-1 formation. The midfield 3 unit need to try and cover 2 boxes when out of possession to get compact, stay connected and prevent the opposition from playing through midfield.

Coaching Points:

Compactness: The boxes act as a guide and reference point for the midfield unit to identify how to defend with compactness. They should try to leave the furthest box from the ball empty in order to cover 2 boxes when the ball is wide. When the ball is in the central box, they need to try and close the centre in order to force the ball wide where they can try to create an overload in their favour.

Individual Responsibility: Each of the midfielders should be responsible for a box and whenever the ball is in their box, it is their responsibility to press with the other 2 adjusting their positions accordingly.

Defending Unit: The 2 defenders also need to stay connected to the midfield and push up when effective pressure is applied to the opposition to reduce their space in which to play and to also leave the opposition strikers in offside positions.

Strikers Defensive Unit: The striker need to stay connected to the midfield unit when they are by-passed and the ball is in the opponent’s possession in the middle third. If the opposition decide to turn back and recycle possession to a defender or the GK, the strikers need to be in a position to press, block off the passing lane or intercept the pass.

Progressions:

• The team in possession score a point (counts as a goal) if they are able to switch play from outer box to outer box.
• If the midfield 3 don’t cover 2 boxes when the ball arrives in the midfield 3rd, they concede a goal.

Regressions:

• The pass into the midfield third needs to be 1st time.
• The midfielders in possession in the middle third have a set number of touches.