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

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FAW Coach Ed

Gareth Evans

Profile Summary

Gareth Evans
Name: Gareth Evans
City: Newport
Country: United Kingdom
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

Defending Principles: 

  • Deny
  • Delay
  • Dictate
  • Press, Cover, Balance
  • Compactness, Control and Restraint.

Interventions:

Terminal & Walkthrough Demonstrations 

  • Tactics Board discussions  
  • Principles of Play  
  • Pitch Geography
  • Tactical & Technical information  
  • Positional Roles & Responsibilities  

Concurrent   

  • During 4 minute block.  
  • Individual or as a unit/group.

Coaching Process   

  • Stopping the practice  
  • reiterate the objectives of the practice/block  
  • identifying a key coaching point

Defending the final third is crucial in football because it is the area where most goals are created and scored, requiring teams to maintain compactness and organisation to limit high-quality chance

The 4-3-3 formation is defensively effective due to its compact structure and ability to control central spaces through three midfielders supporting the back line 

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific Practice

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific Practice
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Specific Practice (15 mins)

Pitch dimensions - Half Pitch

Red team (Coached) set up as 1-4-3-3 (with a 6) and the front three removed 

Blue team (Managed)set up as a 1-4-3-3 (with a 2 8s). The server would be acting as a 6, and the 2 CBs and GK have been taken out. 

Equipment;

  • 15 players
  • 2 mini goals
  • 1 11 aside goal
  • 7 blue bibs
  • 7 red bibs
  • 2 dome cones (offside line)
  • 15 footballs

Block timings;

2 x 4-minute blocks

There will be two blocks of 4 minutes with a one-minute break, where terminal intervention will be utilised.

In this session, the ball will start with the attacking team, who will proceed to pass to play the ball to the blue team. At this point, the attacking team aims to score in the 11-a-side goal.

If the defending team wins the ball, they aim to score within the 2 wide goals, which act as their wingers. 

In block 1, I want the attacking team to play wide to allow the defensive team to defend the box from the wide areas. 

In block 2, I want the attacking team to look to play centrally and allow the fullbacks to play an inverted fullback role. 

1st block is focusing on defending the play from the wide area.

2nd block focuses on defending down the central area.

  • The defending team wants to stay compact and defend the box.
  • Press on the first touch - Emphasis on running out to the player
  • Force the offensive team wide by dictating the game with a closed body position
  • How can the defensive line shift in relation to ball position
  • Can our CM be ball side and goal side

What ifs:

  • The ball is played to the wing
  • The ball is played centrally
  • If the opposition is driving with the ball

Conditions/ challenges/ Targets

  • When the ball is won, can you counter and score in 6 seconds for two goals
  • Players will get rest when going back to their position
  • Can midfielders play quickly on minimal touches in tight areas

Coaching points

  • Stay compact
  • Recognise opposition movement
  • Protect the middle
  • Press quickly
  • Defend the box with 1-touch clearances

Defend the final third

  • Protect the middle
  • Force wide
  • Minimise box entries
  • Stop crosses
  • Defend the box

Starting points

  • CBs playing the width of the posts.
  • Full-backs at the width of the penalty area.
  • The 6 starts in line with the centre circle.
  • Cones on the side of the pitch as a reference for where the defensive line will start.
  • 2 8's to be the width of the 6-yard box
  • GK to be at his penalty spot 

Problem and solution 

Problem 1: The attacking team's fullbacks are going to overlap, creating an overload in the wide area. 

Solution: Cover from the CM to make it into a 1v1, and the rest of the team shifts over with the play. Delay the play to allow time for the CM to cover. 

Problem 2: The attacking team will look to play centrally and more directly. 

Solution: Win the first and second balls, defend the space in behind. The midfielders have their role to press to stop the long balls. Be compact and tight to show the opposition wide. 

Managed Opposition: Ask to play wider than the width of the box especially if it goes to one side, ask to attack the box as much as possible

Key details: Communication to organise, bravery to win the ball IF the ball does enter the box, Blocking crosses, forcing the ball backwards, tracking runners from midfield. Using the line as reference point. Details on defensive headers and second balls.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small Sided Game

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small Sided Game
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Small Sided Game (15 mins)

When moving into the SSG, the two mini goals get pushed off, and the 11 aside goal gets brought to the halfway line. The server will then become the Goalkeeper for the blue team. 

There will be two blocks of 4 minutes with a one-minute break, where terminal intervention will be utilised. 

Red team set up as 1-4-3-3 (with a 6) and the front three removed. 

Blue team set up as a 1-4-3-3 (with a 2 8s). The 2 CBs and the defensive midfielder have been taken out.  

Playing an 8v8

Equipment;

  • 16 players
  • 2 11 aside goal
  • 7 blue bibs
  • 7 red bibs
  • 2 dome cones (offside line)
  • 15 footballs

Objectives of the practice: To prevent as many goal scoring opportunities as possible, knowing how to effectively defend the final third

Problem and solution

Problem 1: The attacking team's fullbacks are going to overlap, creating an overload in the wide area.

Solution: Cover from the CM to make it into a 1v1, and the rest of the team shifts over with the play. Delay the play to allow time for the CM to cover.

Problem 2: The attacking team will look to play centrally and more directly.

Solution: Win the first and second balls, defend the space in behind. The midfielders have their role to press to stop the long balls. Be compact and tight to show the opposition wide.

What ifs:

  • The ball is played to the wing
  • The ball is played centrally
  • If the opposition is driving with the ball

Conditions/ challenges/ Targets

  • When the ball is won, can you counter and score in 6 seconds for two goals
  • Players will get rest when going back to their position
  • Can midfielders play quickly on minimal touches in tight areas

Managed Opposition: Give them more freedom of movement in midfield, asking the wingers to stay in between box width to be more direct at goal

Key details: Minimising box entries by being quite aggressive with the press, forcing out wide or backwards by protecting middle, stopping crosses and shots where needed. Asking the 2 DMS to screen the ball into the striker in the central area.

Coaching points

  • Stay compact
  • Recognise opposition movement
  • Protect the middle
  • Press quickly
  • Defend the box with 1-touch clearances

Defend the final third

  • Protect the middle
  • Force wide
  • Minimise box entries
  • Stop crosses
  • Defend the box

Build 3D sessions in seconds
Access to 1000’s of sessions
Professionalise and modernise your coaching
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US$
75
per year
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