Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): DEFENDING WITH A ZONAL BACK 4 (Start Time: 2014-04-13 11:15:00)

MULTI DIRECTIONAL GAME (15 mins)

MULTI DIRECTIONAL GAME - 10-15 MINUTES

DEFENDING WITH A ZONAL BACK 4

8V4+2

Set up as above. Dark Blue/Light blues must stay in their respective zones. Use cones to zone off 4 zones in middle if necessary

Objective - Dark Blues try to move ball and play through to other Dark blues. Light blues must zonally defend and deny penetration through transfer of ball between outside zones

Condition - All balls must be played on the ground. If light blues wins the ball they try to quickly play to light blue targets outside grid to gain a point for their team (must play the way they face and outside target can move side to side......if they pass out succesfully play is passed to nearest dark blue player to recycle practice)

Key Coaching Points: Pressure (who? how? when?); cover (who? how far?); balance (where?); communication; transition to attack and defend; manipulating attacking options; check your shoulder for a reference of where the man is; try and get each bank of 4 to play across and not allow them to split the defence with a ball through the zone

SSG (15 mins)

SMALL SIDED GAME - 15-20 MINUTES

9V9

LIGHT BLUE TEAM (TO BE COACHED) SET UP IN A 4-1-2-1

DARK BLUE TEAM SET UP IN A 3-2-3

Organisation: Only coaching defensive side (light blue). Must pay reference to pitch markings.

Pitch split into 2, must always be a Back 4 vs front 3......2 x dark blue midfield players can play anywhere on the pitch.

Defensive unit must remain within own half to start (2 x flags put out to show trigger/blitz point to engage defensive line)

Key coaching points:

DELAY/PRESSURE - SUPPORT - COMPACTNESS - BALANCE - CONTROL

DROP

Deny Space Behind

Remain between ball and goal

Outnumbered

Pressure is not possible

PRESS

Pressure 1st touch

Reduce Options

Encourage Mistakes

Stay Compact

Squeeze as a unit

Pressure on the ball (When/Where/Who/How); Back 4 movement when ball is played central (compact) or wide (shuffle) both in defending and opposition half; Communication between back 4 and goalkeeper; Angles and Distance of support to player applying presure. Read the game!!

Progressions

1) Back 4 can play anywhere within the pitch

2) Creep defence up the field with a negative pass from attacking team (high point pressure)

3) Once defending team gain possession......can they create a positive phase of play within 10 passes (shot, goal, attacking set piece) play ball wide away from danger area!!