Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending from the front (Start Time: 2019-12-10 19:00:00)

11v11- MP (35 mins)

Players

22 players

11v11

White team* 4-4-2 (midfield diamond)

Maroon team 4-3-3

*Team that I am working on

Area

Full pitch

Equipment

Balls x16

Bibs x11

Blocks

3x8 mins with 2 minute breaks in between for feedback

Block 1- Reiterate key defensive detail from team training

Block 2- Introduce what if scenario's to the practice i.e. what if two midfielders drop down to receive from goal kick?

Block 3- Introduce detail around attacking and defensive transitions

FB's

- Hold high line

- Shuffle across pitch according to where the ball is being played

- Ball played into full back, then must defend channel ball initially, be aware of movement inside from wide player. Judge distances and if possible get tight to winger so that if they receive the ball they can not turn and force them to play back

- As a rule if outside midfielder can't get out to FB when ball played wide, our FB must hold position and defend space in behind, must get timing right in terms of when to pop out and deal with oppo FB on the ball (aggressive, force ball into channel, do not allow inside). Be aware of roll in from winger and when and where to pass on to CB when dealing with FB on the ball

- FB on opposite side to the ball, tuck in and help provide balance and cover for the defensive unit as a whole, can't allow opposition to play through

What if Scenario's?

- Rotation between opposition central midfielders

- Opposition MF drops in to receive from GK alongside CDM

- Oppo FBs play high and our outside of diamond can't get out to pressure the ball when they receive

- Long ball over the top

Transitions

Attacking- Identify the space that is available to exploit on transition when winning possession back off the opposition.

- Generally FBs will have pushed high up the pitch leaving our two CFs in a 2v2 situation with the opposition CBs

- Can the space down the outside of the CBs be exploited by playing passes for CFs to run onto or playing ball into CFs feet to run into that space?

- As a general rule, if winning the ball in one area of the pitch, can we look to transfer it quickly into the opposite side of the pitch i.e. into CF in half-space between oppo CB and FB (effectively a switch of play)

- Once we get the ball into these areas, we are looking at forward runs from opposite CF, no.10 and both of our no. 8s to make the box. Defensively, back 4 in place and CDM sitting in front (5-5 split)

Defensive- Should we lose the ball when counter attacking?

- We have back 4 and CDM in place so are defending with 5

- Key principles to keep in mind: delay the attack and force opposition outside

- If for example the FB has the ball on our defensive transition, our CDM may be the one to go and engage and pressure the ball, back 4 must stay compact as a unit but also be ready to drop and defend space in behind

- Can CDM delay the attack and cut off option inside (body angle and approach to the ball are key). This will allow midfielders to get back into shape but also narrow options for player on the ball. Can not allow balls inside into CF or no.10s feet

- Defenders mark channel side to deal with ball down the side and tuck in to provide balance and cover to team mate