Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Youth - Futsal - Session 3 - Defending in a High Press (Start Time: 2018-10-29 18:40:00)

Defending in aHigh Press (2) (1-1-1-2)

Organisation

Split players into two teams of 4, plus a GK in each goal.

Red team to attack, yellow team to defend.

Defending team must defend in a 1-1-2 formation, with the attackers playing in a 2-2 formation.

Two players from each team must play in the opposition half and two in their own half. They are not allowed to enter the other half.

Create a zone 10m x 10m in the centre of the pitch. Place a neutral player in the central zone.

Instructions

Objective is for the first line of defence to learn the importance of altering their body shape to prevent the ball being played through central areas.

The practice is begun by the GK throwing the ball out to one of the two closest attackers. The attacking team then attempts to play the ball into the neutral player in the central zone. If the neutral player receives the ball he can turn and play into the two forward players who attempt to score. The front two defenders must prevent the ball from being played into the central zone.

If the defending team gain possession, they have 10 secs in which time to score - neutral player plays for the team in possession.

Coaching Points

The first defender out to the ball must get their body shape right to protect the middle of the pitch.

They must not exaggerate their body position so much that they are dribbled past by the attacker.

The second defending player has to cover this defender, making sure he protects the middle of the pitch if the pressure on the ball is not good enough..

All defenders should be on their front foot.

Body shape should go from initially being big, flat and wide to stop players from playing forward, to sideways on and aggressive once closer to the ball to make play predictable.

Progressions

1. Once an attacking player has played the ball into the neutral player, he can join in with the attack to make a 3v2 overload.

2. As soon as the neutral player has his first touch in the central zone, a defender may enter the box to press him.

3. Introduce an extra defender, in the centre zone, to make it an opposed situation.

4. Once the ball is played into the centre zone, a normal game begins, with players allowed anywhere on court. The neutral player steps out of the game and is not involved once he passes the ball on.

5. Play in both directions so that both teams have to practise defending effectively in high areas.

6. Play a normal game where players must play into the box before their team scores.

7. Change the size of the box.

Links to Football

Teams no longer rely solely on their defenders to defend. In modern day football, a team must defend together, with the first line of defence coming from the forward players. This exercise allows players to understand the importance of the first line of defence pressing, and the impact taht can have on a team if it is not done well.

Pressing has to be clever. Defenders cannot just run quickly to the ball and epect to press effectively. Players must support each other, press aggressively on triggers, and alter their body shapes accordingly.

Making play predictable and forcing opponents wide as a unit, stops threatening passes through lines of defence.

This exercise can be beneficial for midfield players who might need to learn how to defend and play quickly on the counter.

The concept of counter-pressing is rooted in quick transitional play from an aggressive defence to a quick counter attack. This exercise works on pressing together as a unit which is necessary to provide a ateam with a chance to transition quickly.