Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending the Final Third UEFA B

COMP 1

4-3-3 Defending the final third
Red: 4-3 + GK and Blue: 3-1-3
Component 1
The objective is to win the ball quickly and counterattack. in the small goals.

1. Defenders start in the RED line.
2. Ball played by feeding player to attacking team Blue)
3. Attacking team attempts to score the big goal.
4. The defending team (red) attempts to win the ball and score the small goals. 5. Ball fed on the opposite side.
6. Only the three forward can cross the line.

Progression
One of the Midfielders can now enjoy the striker to make it a 4V4. The defending team needs to work now on a high offside line but is also ready to run positions if breached. Try to remain facing the play to win the ball positively unless breached.

Coaching Points:
1. Pressing the player closest to the ball
2. Other defenders shuffle across to cover and give depth
3. No more than two defenders in a box.
4. Defenders start on red but try to keep a high lineup to blue. Only allow one beyond blue.

Phase of Play

4-3-3 - Defending the final third
The phase of Play (15 mins)
Directional play 8V8 (1 feeder/target)

Red 4-3 +GK and Blue 2-4-2 

1. Play always starts with GK (Blue) who is a feeder but also a target for Defending team (Red) if they get the ball.

2. Attacking team tries to score in large goal.
3. Defensive line to start on edge of the box, but step up to press high with offside line.
4. Ball starts with blue once the play breaks down.
No more than 2 freezes/stops.
1. Breached (Space too big, not pressed quick enough, poor cover)
2. Shot at goal/ goal scored (Slow to press, poor shape, spaces between)

Coaching Points
As previous.
As well as:
1. CMs available to press by defenders stepping up to win the ball high and push strikers back towards their own goal.
2. Position of CM will decide whether LB/RB tries to send player wide, attempt to win the ball, or push into traffic (Other defending players)

What if?

4-3-3 Phase of Play (20 mins) What if?

Set-Up - 4-3-1 Red and 4-1-3 Blue
What if?
The outside forwards must show to receive the ball from the FB and find a pass to the CM. CM will find the central forward.

Coaching Points -
Push up the line high and pressure the ball so the midfield can't receive it.

Look to close the diagonal running in front of the defenders.

What if?

4-3-3 Phase of Play (20 mins) What if?

Set-Up - 4-3-1 Red and 4-1-3 Blue
What if?
The CM must show to receive the ball from the full-back that gets it back again. The full-back will find the outside forward in between the two defenders.

Coaching Points -
Push up the line high and pressure the ball so the midfield can't receive it.

Look to close the diagonal running in front of the defenders.