Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Specific Practice; Out Of Possession Defending Wide Areas (Start Time: 2022-03-21 10:30:00)

Animation 1 (20 mins)

Specific Practice; Out of Possession Defending Wide Areas

Illustrate a practice that is specific to "defending the final 3rd". How can we protect the middle, force the play wide, stop/defend the cross and get players on the line to achieve success.

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Organisation / Area Size: 

• 3/4 pitch scale. 
• Ref Points at the side of the pitch in line with the 18yd area 
• x2 teams 9 attackers vs 9 defenders including GKs (x2 set of colour bibs). 
• x2 full size goal, 
• x20 balls with the asst coach. 
• Timings; Play 4 x5 minute periods with 1 minute interval progression break.

Explanation: 

Each team will start where the bibs are pre laid out in a 9v9 scenario. Can the team OP defend their own 3rd and stop play through the middle, force the ball wide and stop/defend (impact) the cross? The flow of the practice will progress through use of reference points. Start; 9v9, ball to IP team FB or CB first whilst the OP defend.1st Progression (1st x5 minute period); focus on compacting zone 14 and forcing the ball wide. 2nd Progression (2nd x5 minute period); focus on stopping/defending (impacting) driving in or crossing from wide areas. Success for IP team is goals scored, Success for OP team is crosses defended and can you break quickly on a transition and find the ST to score in large goal

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How: 

Coach explain the practice and conduct a walkthrough on a tactics board first, followed by a walkthrough on the pitch in quick-time (variation of inclusive player understanding abilities). Lead coach will work with both teams for the duration of the practice within the x4 5 minute periods and break. However, the main focus will be on the OP team and their ability to defend their own 3rd.

• 1st x5 minutes period; Focus is stopping the ball getting into Zone 14
• 2nd x4 minute period; Progression is focus on stopping the drive inside or cross from wide areas
• 3rd x5 minute period; Progression is applying additional pressure on the IP player and positional

1st ball of the practice will be played from IP GK to FB or CM. On the 1st progression focus defending zone 14, it will be encouraged to remain compact, keep lines tight between the backline and midfield line and lock on to IP team in that zone. On the 2nd progression focus, OP team are encouraged to quickly press the with the nearest player with a potential additional press from 2nd nearest player to likely receiving player. Can we stop the cross completely by blocking it, forcing the wide player to play back to the the FB or CM.

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Conditions, Challenges & Targets: 

• Conditions; IP team have the overload of players vs OP team having an underload. 
• 1st challenge; OP team can we lock on quickly to the central attacking IP players?
• 2nd challenge; OP team can we find a successful pass into the ST to shoot at the large goal (forward targets) within 8 seconds? 
• 1st progression; Defend zone 14 and force the play wide.
• 2nd progression; Defend/stop (impact) the drive or cross by pressing aggressively.

Key Points: 

Out of Possession

• Defend Narrow force the play wide leaving furthest player.
• Protect space between the lines.
• Prevent through or split passes. 
• Lock on to central attacking players early in zone 14.
• Press aggressively
• Press the likely player or passing line

In Possession

• Breaking out quickly under pressure.
• Find the highest target ST to score in large goal.
• Move the ball continuously with pace.

• Concurrent positive feedback individual/Unit/All. 
• Terminal feedback individual/Unit/All. 
• Walkthrough.
• Coaching Process

Animation 3

Explanation:

9v9 scenario, lock on early to central players also minimising the space between the lines forcing the IP to team to play back or around. Forcing the play wide into zones 16 & 18 allows the OP to balance their shape and create an opportunity to get players on the line whilst having a good picture of what is going on around them.

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How

• Congest zone 14 to force play wide.
• Aggressively press the wide player as the ball is rolling or on a poor touch.
• Can we force them to make a negative decision that results in success for OP team?
• Can we impact the likely receiving player or their line?