Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): 2025 - Defending the middle

Defending the middle (20 mins)

Structure:

40x30 grid. 2 even teams - 1 ATT team 1DEF team. DEF team is defending net with, ATT team defending 3 small nets..

Zones: 3 and 4

Training load: moderate to high 4 sets of 2 min with 1 min rest. Then Switch sides                    

Strategy:

Play starts when 1 of 5 defenders plays ball into attacking players. When 4 ATT receive ball, they look to combine in a 4 v 5 game. Defenders must defend in a Pentagon blocking the middle at all times. The point guides the press, the closest def press ball other defenders cover and balance. looking to switch off and prevent switch or central play. ATT looking to score on GK. If Defenders when possession, they are looking to score on one of the 3 nets

Key Factors:

Defending as a unit. Looking to cut off path towards net. Speed and angle of approach. Constant communication. Looking to delay the attack with Pressure, cover, balance

Looking to cur off the space quickly. Pressing on cues= bad pass, while ball is moving or in air. Last player must zonal mark in Central Channel 

Tactics:

1) When outside attacker receives ball, closest DF should have already Pressed and cut of space towards goal. 2nd defender to Balance space in central channel. 3rd def balances, FB would have to stay in line with MF, blocking central channel.

2) As ball is switched to opposite side, DEF must pivot and the 2nd DEF now becomes 1st DEF, Opposite side must block central channel. 

3) DEF must coordinate movements with each other.

In Possession: DEF looking to play combos quickly to around defenders to score 

Progressions:

1) Make field bigger and go 5 v 5.  

2) Limit touches.