Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending final third (out possession)

Screen 1 (10 mins)

Objective:

To improve the defending team's ability to press, cover, and balance in the attacking third, preventing the attacking team from scoring or making through passes.

Organisation:

• Area Size: 40x30 meters
• Players:
  • 7 red players + 1 GK (attacking team)
  • 7 blue players  + 1GK(defending team)

Setup:

• Starting Position: The red team (attacking) starts with the ball, with the goalkeeper passing to one of the wing-backs (WB).
• Defensive Formation: The blue team (defending) sets up to press, cover, and balance as the red team attempts to break into the final third.

How It Works:

• Press: When the GK passes to a red WB, a blue player immediately presses the ball.
• Cover: The blue WB covers the opponent player receiving the ball.
• Balance: The rest of the blue players balance the defensive line and maintain possession.

Coaching Points:

• Marking: Defenders should mark players 1v1 and deny space if they are too far apart.
• Compactness: Stay tight and narrow to prevent through balls and split passes.
• Pressure on the Ball: Apply immediate pressure to delay and disrupt the attack.
• Cover and Balance: Ensure supporting defenders provide cover while balancing the line.
• Communication and Organization: Defenders must communicate to ensure everyone is in the correct position.
• Delay and Deny: Slow the attack down and force attackers into wide areas.

Key Defensive Principles:

• Compactness: Maintain a tight and narrow shape.
• Pressure on the Ball: Immediate pressure to delay the attack.
• Cover and Balance: Support and balance the defensive line.
• Communication and Organization: Effective communication to maintain structure.
• Delay and Deny: Force attackers wide and slow down their progress.

Target:

• Clear the ball into the midfield without allowing the attackers to make through passes or score.

Progression:

Enhance the pressure of the press, implement various situations where the attacking side initiates from different locations, and impose a time limit for the defending team to clear the ball.