Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B 2) Defending Breaking Lines - 4-3-3 Altered attacking formation Final

Defending Breaking Lines - specific 2

Organisation/Area Size

Half field – 50x60 yards

Defensive line aiming to push high passed the midpoint of the centre circle and edge of defensive D

200m² per player  (change)

Extensive 

Timings: 4x 6 minute blocks - 90 seconds rests

Numbers - 14 Outfield + 1 Goalkeeper

Target Players: Blue Team (defending team)

Focus Team (Blue) -

GK, LB, 2x CB. RB, 1x CM, LM, RM

(Working back from 11vs11 1-4-4-2)

Opposition Team (Red) -LB, RB, 1x CDM, CF, LW, RW, ST 

(Working back from 11vs11 1-4-3-3)

Session Organisation

The aim of this session is to work on the Welsh way principle of breaking lines. Within this practice the blue defending team will focus on how to deal with breaking lines around and over. This will be focused on the opponent have quick wingers and fullbacks who look to overlap and deliver in to the tall centre forward and striker.

The ball will start with the red team fullbacks

Conditions, Challenges & Targets 

If the blue team win the ball, they will receive 1 goal for playing into the central target goals representing their striker and centre forward.

 If blues score and all outfield players are over the defensive highline red cones the goal will count for 2.

The red attacking team will score 2 goals if they successfully score from a line breaking pass over the opponent in the build up to the goal

Red goals scored without a ball around or through will count as 1 goal.

From block 2 onwards goals scored with a successful line break around or over will count as 2 goals.

Blocks 

Blocks 1 - 2: Problem: The attacking team are aiming to break centrally and play through the defence into their centre forward and striker.

Solution:

·      Dictate the opponent to play wide

·      Use body shape to dictate players pass/movement

·      Stay compact and protect central areas

·      Prevent passes into the centre forward/block passing lanes

Block 3-4: Problem: The attacking team are aiming to create overloads centrally with their wide midfielders driving inside of our fullbacks to outnumber centrally.

Solution:

·      Prevent gaps inside - stop the LM and RM from driving inside towards the goal

·      Body shape to force play wide or backwards

·      Compact shape prevents gaps for players to drive into

Key points: 

Out of Possession (Coached)

Technical Points

• Recognise when to step to the ball and angle of approach to limit passing options
• Dictate play to limit delivery opportunities (use of body shape)
• Scanning for player movement

Additional Points

• Protecting the backspace
• Recognising areas of delivery and zones to protect
• Gaps between lines no more than 10 yards
• Recognising when to drop the defensive line deeper

In Possession (Not Coached)

Technical Points

• Open body position to receive
• Back foot touch to play forward (if pressure allows)
• Firm pass, inside of the foot, middle of the ball, shoulders and hips with planted standing foot to target
• Good passing detail – height, weight and accuracy of pass

Additional Points

• Overlapping runs and creating a 2vs1
• Patient build up