Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Session 14 - Mid Block and Force Play (Start Time: 2022-01-20 00:00:00)

Out of Possession - Mid Block and Forcing Play

Initial engagement 

Primary unit players (7 and 2) adopt a position to force a wide attacker in towards the centre of the pitch where it is more condensed. The primary unit 10 adopts a holding position that invites the winger into a pocket Should the opposition winger try to go outside of the 7, the supporting 2 will look to force them out. Additional support is provided by the secondary unit of the 4, 5 and 6.

Out of possession players will be reminded of the our key defending principles - Close down, slow down, sit down, stay down and show down.

Key coaching factors

DELAY 

• Pressure on the ball –why, when, where, how? 

• Giving ground –why, when, where, how? 

• Pressure, cover, marking. 

CONCENTRATION – (Compactness) 

• Distances – between players, units, from goal, from ball. 

• Relationships – angles, cover etc. 

• Movement – as a defending team. 

DEPTH 

• Protecting the space behind the back line – how? 

• Distance from goal, of back line. 

BALANCE 

• Supporting. 

• Defensive symmetry – marking opponents, marking/occupying significant spaces at right time. 

CONTROL/RESTRAINT 

• Personal defensive discipline – decision-making, defensive actions, control of thoughts and actions

Pressing and transition

Additional outcome

It is particularly common within the womens game for teams to try and play long at every opportunity and to cut out the midfield. The session would cover random attempts to clear the midfield shown here by the positions adopted by the 5 and 6 (acknowledged that the progression is outside the secondary unit).

Players would be asked to think about the transition preparation within this session. Can they identify the attacking space in front of the 7 and a potential over/under lap by the 2 that link to the playing philosophy? Can they see the similarity between the picture and the break out game from session 4?