Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Showing Away From Goal as a Priority in our Defensive Third

Details

Opposition formation

-1-4-3-3 in and our of possession

Main moment

- BPO

Key principle

- To prioritise showing away from goal in wide areas in our defensive third.

What?

- In our defensive third, when the sides of the diamond are out of position and can't help defensively, our back 4 often allow wide players to come inside when ideally we would like to keep them as far away from goal as possible.

Who?

- Back 4 when they can't receive help from the sides of the diamond.

When?

- When our sides of the diamond are caught too high up the field or out of position, our 2 and 5 in particular get allow the opposition wide players to come inside when they should be looking to show them away from goal.

Why?

- Allowing the opposition wide players to come inside causes issues as 1. they are closer to goal and 2. our sides are out of position and this will give them space to create an opportunity.

Session objective

- In todays session, I aim to improve my teams ability to show away from goal as a priority in wide areas in our defensive third.

PP (10 mins)

Players involved

- All players

Size

- 3 x 20x15 meter areas

Timing

- 15 minutes total with dynamics incorporated

Scoring method

- 1st without ball, attacker must run between either of the 2 goals marked by cones = 1 point

- Progression - attacker must dribble between either of the 2 goals marked by cones = 1 point

- If defender wins it and can dribble over halfway marked by pole = 1 point

Starts/restarts

- Balls will always start with attacked behind the furtherest line from goals as shown above

Rules/explanation

- Without a ball at first

- Working in twos creating a 1v1

- Defender will always start behind halfway marked by pole

- Defender must get his body between goal and attacker and stop him from scoring for first progression

- Attacker will become defender after he attacks and defender joins back of line

Progression

- Same as above but with a ball

- Attacker will look to score by dribbling through either goal

- Defender looking to force him out and/or try win the ball and dribble over halfway

Dynamic stretches and/or injury prevention

- Every 3 minutes - dynamics for 30 seconds - 1 minute

GT

Players invovled - All players

Red - Jack, Lyndon, Oscar(swap with Malakai), Ben(swap with Callum)

Blue - Cruz, Harry, Jacob

1 - Ross, 2 - Kohen, 3 - Malakai, 4 - Callum

GK - Aaron

Size

- Half of defensive half

Timing

- 15-20 minutes

Team shape(us)

- Back 4

Team shape(them) 

- Front 3

Scoring method

- Normal goal = 1 point

- If black drive inside and a goal is scored after = 2 points

Starts/restarts

- Ball will always start with the number I call so all 4 black must be ready with a ball at their feet. Ball will start by receiving a pass from other number on his side. E.g if I call 4, 3 will play a pass to 4 then its live

- Keeper will start and play with reds every few who are looking to score in the big goal at the other end

Rules/explanation

- Blacks will each be given a number and whichever number I yell will start by either dribbling, passing or crossing and he is the only black that can join

- Blues looking to score in goal with keeper

- Reds looking to show outside and/or win the ball and score in opposite goal
- To start, reds will be defending for the most part and blues always attacking

Progression

- Goal at either end

- 2+3 will cross for blue to attack

- 1+4 will cross for red to attack

Team task

- To prioritise showing away from goal in our defensive third

Player tasks

- 2/5: - When a wide player dribbles, can you curve your run to stop him from dribbling inside and force him down the line?

- When a wide player receives the ball, can you step out of the line quickly to shut the space?

- When the ball gets played or is dribbled inside and the second defender steps out of his shape, can the 2/5 recover quickly to ensure there is no space in behind for a ball to be played?

- 3/4: - Can the second defender be in a position where he can see the ball and the other attacker?

- If the ball gets played inside, can the second defender be in a position where he can arrive on the attackers first touch?

Coaching cues

- 2/5: - As the wide player receives from teammate and looks to dribble, curve your run to block inside and keep him outside/down the line.

- When the wide player receives the ball from his teammate, step out of line quickly to shut space but slow down on arrival and keep feet moving.

- When the second defender steps out to address a pass or dribble inside, the 2/5 must recover QUICKLY to a spot where he can cover a ball in behind but also cover for the 3/4(second defender) that has stepped out of the line.

- 3/4: - When the 2/5 step out to address the ball, the second defender must get close enough and in a position where he can see the ball and the other attacker by opening his body. He must face forward so he is ready to go either way.

- If the opposition wide player plays the ball inside, the second defender must be in a position to step out of his line and arrive on the attackers first touch.