Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Improve the ability of the 2,4,5,3 & 6,8,10 to maintain defensive principles in transition

Stage 3 (20 mins)

Defensive Transition in Defensive Half (20 min)

Objective: Teaching defensive principles in transition focusing on the 2,4,5,3 & 6,8,10 lines

Set Up: 8 (1-4-3) vs. 7 (1-3-3) Field 80 by 70 yards, team (Blue) defending the counter attack defends large goal and attacks 3 small goals, team counterattacking attacks the large goal, defends 3 small goals and sets a line of defensive confrontation at the half way line or if needed behind the half way line on their defensive half to create space for developing the counter attack, offside law in effect on the large half of the field, balls start with coach. Team of 8 attack 3 small goals, team of 7 upon regaining possession attempt counter attack with everyone who is effective to create this demand, Blue team

can defend in their attacking half and counterattack upon winning posession.

Coaching Points:

(1) Teach tactical cues on when the 2,4,5,3 should press & when they should drop

(2) Teach individual defensive principles: Jockey/Delay, recognize proper angles of approach to allow for the 2,4,5,3 & 6,8,10 lines to maintain depth behind the ball

(3) Integrate recovery runs and starting positions into transition movements

(4) Integrate 2,4,5,3 & 6,8,10 lines into getting compact, sliding as a unit and recognizing spacing.

(5) Teach cues on when to pressure, when to cover and how to maintain balance

(6) Integrate the use of off-side to maintain a compact vertical shape

(7) Integrate counterattack to force the opposition to focus on defensive responsibilities