Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending the lines (Start Time: 2024-12-16 16:30:00)

FAW Coach Ed

Jun Chan

Profile Summary

Name:	Jun Chan
City:	Pontypridd
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

Topic: Defending the lines

Players: Under-17

Formation: total of 14 players (7 in possession + 7 out of possession + GK for out-of-possession team).

The out-of-possession team is organized in a 4-4-2 shape but only the following 7 players are involved:

GK, LB, LCB, RCB, RB, LCM, RCM

The in-possession team is organized in a 4-2-3-1 shape but only the following 7 players are involved:

ST (CF), LAM, RAM, CAM, LDM, RDM, LCB

Pitch: half-pitch

Setup:

Big goal positioned on the defending (out-of-possession) team’s end and two mini-goals placed near the halfway line for the out-of-possession team to attack if they regain possession.

The ball is always reset from the center circle by the in-possession team.

The overarching focus is on the out-of-possession team’s ability to remain compact, protect the middle, stop split passes, and defend the space behind effectively.

Session Structure (60 Minutes Total)

Specific Practice (20 minutes)
2 x 10-minute blocks
2-minute rest between blocks
Small-Sided Game (20 minutes)
2 x 10-minute blocks
2-minute rest between blocks
Specific Practice into Small-Sided Game (SSG) (20 minutes)
2 x 10-minute blocks
2-minute rest between blocks

Learning Objectives (Outcomes)

Specific Practice Objective

Players (out of possession) to apply fast pressure on the ball and maintain a compact shape to block central channels.

Small-Sided Game Objective

Out-of-possession team to stop split passesand protect the space behindby showing away from goaland blocking switches of play.

Specific Practice into SSG Objective

Out-of-possession team to understand when and how to prevent the opposition from playing through, around, or overby adjusting defensive linesquickly in transitional moments.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): specific practice

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specific practice (20 mins)

Organization

Area: Half-pitch.

Players:

Out of Possession (4-4-2 shape but 7 involved): GK, LB, LCB, RCB, RB, LCM, RCM.

In Possession (4-2-3-1 shape but 7 involved): ST, LAM, RAM, CAM, LDM, RDM, LCB.

Set-Up:

Big goal at the defending end for the out-of-possession team to protect.

Two mini-goals at the halfway line for the out-of-possession team to attack if they win possession.

The practice starts from the center circle with the in-possession team each time the ball goes out of play.

Focus: Out-of-possession team to defend the lines and stop the opposition from playing through, around, or over.

Block 1 (10 minutes)

Work-to-Rest: 10 minutes work / 2 minutes rest (after the block).

Conditions/Challenges/Targets (for Out-of-Possession Team)

Challenge: Prevent central passes into the CAM or ST.

Condition: If the out-of-possession team wins the ball, they have 10 seconds to score in the mini-goals.

Target: Stay narrow and compact, forcing play wide.

Danger Scenario:

In-Possession Team attempts a quick combination through LDM and CAM to slip a pass behind the LCB/RCB.

Solution: LCM and RCM immediately apply pressure on LDM and CAM, LCB and RCB drop to protect space behind, full-backs pinch in to remain compact.

Player Roles (Out of Possession)

GK: Organize defensive line, communicate threats (e.g., runner from midfield).

LB & RB: Show wide players away from goal, prevent crosses.

LCB & RCB: Track ST and CAM runs, deny through-ball lanes, drop when needed.

LCM & RCM: Fast pressure on LDM/RDM and CAM, protect central zone, track runners.

Player Roles (In Possession)

ST: Look to receive passes between defenders.

LAM & RAM: Occupy half-spaces, look for 1-2 combinations.

CAM: Attempt to split lines with forward passes.

LDM & RDM: Switch play or feed CAM in central areas.

LCB: Step in to create overload in midfield if possible.

Coaching Points (Technical & Tactical)

Fast Pressure: Defenders press the ball carrier quickly.

Protect the Middle: Midfielders screen forward passes into ST/CAM.

Stay Narrow & Compact: Defensive line stays tight to deny passing lanes.

Stop Split Passes: Communication to identify runners and block passing lanes.

Protect the Space Behind: Recognize cues (e.g., opposing player with time on the ball) and drop off.

Coaching Interventions

Freeze: When an attacker finds space centrally, coach can freeze the play and highlight defending shape.

Walkthrough: Demonstrate correct body positions and distances between defenders.

Concurrent: Provide real-time feedback, e.g., “LCM, get closer to their CAM!”

Block 2 (10 minutes)

Progression

In-possession team is allowed one additional attacker (CAM or LAM) to drop deeper to overload midfield, challenging the out-of-possession midfielders to track runners or pass them on.

Regression (if struggling)

Reduce the number of attacking players allowed to join from midfield to create less overload.

Same focus on defending lines, now with an extra emphasis on tracking runners from deeper positions.

Physical Corner:

Energy System: Primarily anaerobic (short bursts of high-intensity pressing).

Work-to-Rest Ratio: 1:5 or 1:6 within the 10-minute block (e.g., 15-20 seconds of high press followed by repositioning).

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specific practice

Social Corner:

Encourage team meetingsin the 2-minute rest: defenders and midfielders discuss how to improve compactness.
Assign a captain(LCB or GK) to lead quick huddles.

Psychological Corner:

Challenge players to remain focusedand confidentin applying immediate pressure and reading triggers for dropping off.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): LSG

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LSG (20 mins)

Organization

Area: Continue on the half-pitch.

Teams: Same 7 (in possession) vs. 7 + GK (out of possession).

Objective: In-possession team aims to score in the big goal. Out-of-possession team defends and aims to score in the mini-goals on winning possession.

Block 1 (10 minutes)

Work-to-Rest: 10 minutes work / 2 minutes rest.

Conditions/Challenges/Targets (for Out-of-Possession Team)

Challenge: Force the in-possession team away from central areas.

Condition: If the out-of-possession team regains possession, they can only score if they transition within 6 seconds to a mini-goal.

Target: Block passes into central attacking players (CAM, ST).

Danger Scenario:

In-Possession Team sets up wide with the LAM and RAM drifting close to the touchlines, trying to stretch the back line.

Solution: LB and RB move out but remain connected, LCB and RCB condense the middle; LCM and RCM drop slightly to track potential cut-backs, ensuring no easy passes inside.

Coaching Points

Show Away from Goal: Full-backs angle body to push wide players down the line.

Block Central Passes: Midfield pivot players (LCM, RCM) screen passes to ST/CAM.

Stop Switches of Play: Read triggers, press the ball carrier to prevent diagonal or cross-field pass.

Protect the Space Between Lines: Defensive unit steps together to minimize gaps.

Control the Space Behind: Recognize runs in behind, drop early if needed.

Coaching Interventions

Bullet-Point Feedback during natural stoppages: “Great shape, keep forcing them outside!”

Freeze if a switch of play occurs too easily, showing defenders how to reposition earlier.

Block 2 (10 minutes)

Progression

Allow the in-possession team to bring their LCB higher, creating a 2-v-1 overload in midfield with LDM and RDM. Out-of-possession team must adjust angles and distances quickly.

Regression

Limit the in-possession team to 2-touch in midfield, reducing time to pick out final passes.

Physical Corner

Continued anaerobic demands with repeated short sprints (defensive pressing and quick transitions).

Social Corner

Problem-solving tasks: Ask defenders to identify the best moments to step or drop as a unit.

Psychological Corner

Reinforce confidence in reading the game and anticipating the next pass.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SP into LSG

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SP into LSG (20 mins)

Organization

Area: Half-pitch, same playing conditions.

Focus: Transition from the specific practice setup directly into a more open SSG scenario, emphasizing how to defend transitions from midfield into the final third.

Block 1 (10 minutes)

Work-to-Rest: 10 minutes work / 2 minutes rest.

Two Possible Plays for In-Possession Team & Defensive Solutions:

Wide Play

Execution: LAM or RAM drifts wide, LDM or RDM plays diagonal pass. LAM/RAM then looks to cut inside or deliver a cross.

Solution (Out of Possession):

LB or RB presses wide player, show away from goal.

LCB and RCB remain central, protect space behind.

LCM and RCM shift across to block cut-back lanes.

GK organizes the back line, ready for near-post or cut-back threats.

Central Play

Execution: CAM drops into space between lines, combining with ST for a quick 1-2.

Solution (Out of Possession):

LCM or RCM steps in quickly to block the passing lane into ST.

LCB or RCB steps up if ST receives back to goal, forcing a pass backwards.

LB and RB tuck in to maintain compactness.

Conditions/Challenges/Targets (for Out-of-Possession Team)

Challenge: React immediately to transitional cues (e.g., long pass, quick switch).

Condition: Out-of-possession team can only score in mini-goals within 8 seconds of regaining possession.

Target: Maintain narrow shape in central zones, deny easy combination play.

Danger Scenario

In-Possession Team quickly switches play from LAM to RAM, who cuts inside between LB and LCB.

Solution: LB recovers to force RAM away, LCB narrows to close inside channel, RCB and RB shuffle across to cover the far post area.

Coaching Points

Emphasize reading triggers (head up, open body of attacker) to anticipate wide or central pass.

Compactness around the ball and behind the ball.

Communication among defenders and midfielders to pass on runners.

Block 2 (10 minutes)

Progression

In-possession team can add an overlapping run from LCB to create further overload out wide.

Out-of-possession team must shift collectively to cover wide and central threats.

Regression

Limit in-possession team’s touches in the final third to slow down the pace of the attack.

Physical Corner

High-intensity anaerobic intervals, short bursts for pressing and tracking runners.

Social Corner

Players discuss in pairs (LCB with RCB, LB with RB) how they rotate responsibilities for marking.

Psychological Corner

Encourage composure under pressure, reinforcing trust in the defensive unit.

Scoreboard:

Award 1 point each time the out-of-possession team prevents a forward pass into the final third.

Award 2 points if the out-of-possession team scores in the mini-goals within the time limit.

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