Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): United SC- Week 1: Defending in the Defensive Half (Start Time: 2025-03-05 01:30:00)

Technical Activation: Dutch Circles (15 mins)

Exercise 1: Dutch Circles – Technical Activation

Setup:

• Two Dutch Circles:
  • Blue players (outside) are passers.
  • Red players (inside) are movers, working on quick passing and movement.
• Each blue player has a ball and looks to connect with an inside red player.
• Red players receive a pass, return it, and immediately move to find another blue player with a ball.

Progressions:

• Basic Activation – Red receives a pass from a blue, returns it, and quickly moves to another blue.
• Combination Play – Red now combines with another red inside (e.g., one-two pass) before passing back to a blue.
• Limited Touch – Restrict reds to two-touch play to increase tempo and efficiency.
• Scanning & Awareness – Reds must check their shoulders before receiving to recognize space and passing options faster.

Key Coaching Points:

• Quick Movement – Always be on the move to support and provide a passing option.
• Intensity – Play at high speed to simulate game-like conditions.
• Pass Quality – Passes should be crisp, accurate, and played on the ground for smooth execution.
• Body Positioning – Adjust before receiving to keep the ball moving efficiently.

7v6 Defending in Defensive/Attacking Half (35 mins)

Activity: 7v6 - Defending in the Defensive Half

Setup:

• Field: Half field
• Teams:
  • Blue (Defensive focus team - 7 players) in a 1-4-2 shape:
    • 1 GK
    • 4 Defenders: LB, LCB, RCB, RB
    • 2 Midfielders: LCM, RCM
  • Red (Attacking team - 6 players) in a 1-2-3 shape:
    • 1 CDM
    • 2 Attacking Midfielders: LAM, RAM
    • 3 Forwards: LW, ST, RW
• Goals:
  • Big goal for Red (attacking team) to score on
  • Two small counter goals for Blue (defensive team) to transition into upon winning possession
• Duration: 15 minutes
• Play Starts:
  • Coach plays the ball into Red CDM, allowing them to build the attack.
  • First 2 minutes: Free play observation – Assess players’ movements, reactions, defensive pressing, and transitions.

Objectives:

Blue Team (Defensive Focus)

• Decision-making: Recognize when to press aggressively or when to recover and reorganize.
• Defensive compactness: Shift as a unified unit to limit attacking spaces.
• Positional awareness: Maintain proper distances between defenders and midfielders.
• Leave the furthest player: Keep defensive shape rather than overcommitting.
• Spatial awareness: Control central areas, forcing play wide.
• Transition to attack: Upon winning possession, quickly build up and counter into small goals.

Red Team (Attacking Focus)

• Initiate an organized press after losing possession.
• Force defensive play into wide areas where space is reduced.
• Shift with optimal distance to keep defensive shape and limit counterattacks.
• Create numerical overloads centrally or wide to break defensive lines.

Key Coaching Points:

Attacking Principles (Red Team - In Possession)

• Create an effective attacking shape with height, width, and depth.
• Provide options to play forward by creating central overloads or stretching the defense wide.
• Make runs in behind to force defenders to adjust and create space.

Defending Principles (Blue Team - Out of Possession)

• Defensive compactness: Make team compact vertically and horizontally to minimize gaps.
• Shift as a unit: Move together to force play into predictable areas.
• Deny passing lanes: Cut off central options and force play wide.
• Immediate transition: When winning possession, secure the ball and look for counterattack opportunities.
• Communication: Constant adjustments from GK, CBs, and midfielders to ensure compact shape.