Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending against the overload

Screen 1

Primary focus 

Skill practice focusing on defending against overloads 

Concentrating on the individual +1 

Teams are split into two teams attacking team v a defensive team 

Attacking team in blue with 7 outfield players 

Defensive team in red with 6 outfield players and a GK 

Game is an attack v defence practice with the ball starting with the attacking team every time. The attacking team has 7 outfield players against the 6 outfield players + goalkeeper of the defensive team. The attacking team will look to overload the defensive team at every opportunity utilising the extra outfield player to gain an advantage and to create opportunities at goal. Two gates in the channels for the attacking teams to gain an extra point for dribbling through or completing a pass through.

Ball starts on the half way every time with the attacking team and the coach will start the practice with free play to observe to see what he needs to support the defensive unit with. 

The coach will focus on the defensive shape and use the plus one element when engaging in the press and closing the space to counter the overloads.

Three goals are placed on the half way line for the defensive unit to clear balls to or to play their way out of trouble.

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):

Progressions 

Limit on touches (attacking team) 

One touch finish ( attacking team)

Defensive team has to make 3 passes before they can clear into half way line goals 

Time limit on defensive team too reach the half way line.

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Can the defensive team make 3 passes before they clear to the half way line 

Extra point for hitting the half way line in 5 seconds (defensive team) 

Extra point for rushing the attacking team into a bad shot. 

Key coaching points 

Solid shape 

Can we shuffle over as a unit ( defender plus one) 

Fast press out to wide players 

Use touch line to force them out of play 

Pressure on the players close to the gates 

Strong communication 

Secure the first pass 

Key mechanics 

Body position 

Pressure on ball 

Be patient 

Decide when to win the ball