Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending Final Third 3-5-2

Press and Counter-Press

Blue players start with possession with the aim of keeping the ball. 6 passes and the blues gain a goal. The red team will press initially to win possession, upon winning the ball they will look to play out to the reds in the outer box. To score the red team require 6 passes to score in the mini goals. The blue team aims to counter-press and win back the ball, upon regaining possession the blues aim to create six passes and score into mini goals. Black neutral players can be used to support the in-possession team.

 

CP) PREDICTABLE make play predictable by using body shape to force the attacking team in one direction.

CP) COMMUNICATION talking with teammates to communicate who is planning to support the pressing player and that the pressing players are working to the same plan.

CP) COUNTER-PRESS Understand how we counter press and work hard to win the ball back immediately upon losing possession of the ball  

 

Points 

6 Passes and score into mini goal = 1 goal.

defending final third - large sided game

Organisation/Area Size

Dimensions - Half Field 50x60 yrds  

250m² per player

Extensive

Matchday -3  

Timings: 4x 6 minute blocks – 90 second rests

Numbers - 10 Outfield + 1 Goalkeeper  

Target Players: Blue Team (defending team)

 

Coached Team (Blue) - GK - Back 5  

(Working back from 11vs11 1-5-3-2)

 

Opposition Team (Red) - Midfield 3 – CF & ST

(Working back from 11vs11 1-3-5-2)

 

 

Session Organisation 

This large sided game is played in 9vs9 format and continues the learning from the specific practice and increases the challenge for the defensive team by encouraging them to push forward quickly in transition when they win possession. When the red attacking team win the ball, the defensive line needs to stay compact and recognise when to use their body shape to step out to prevent a cross/cutback. Defensive players also need to be aware of the zones they are expected to protect when they have dropped in to protect the box.   

 

Conditions, Challenges & Targets 

The blues will aim to score in the goal and launch a quick counter attack. The goal will count for 2 if scored within 6 seconds and all outfield defensive players are over the mid-point of the half (reference point between the D and centre circle) marked by the red cones. The goal will only count for 1 if the team takes longer than 6 seconds.

 

Reds are looking to score into the large goal. Goals scored from a cross or cutback will be worth 2, all other goals count as 1.

 

Blocks  

Block 1 & 2: Problem: Whilst defending we need to recognise when to step out to the ball.

Solution:

Understand when to close down the player to prevent the cross/cutback  

Block 3 & 4: Problem: Players are switching position to lose their marker.

 Solution:

 

• Recognising the defensive zones each player should respect
• Scanning to track player movements to make sure we are goalside and aware of threats.

 

 

 

 

 

Key points:

 

 

 

 

 

Out of Possession (Coached)

Technical Points

Force direction of play (use of body shape to dictate)

Awareness of space in behind and ability to track back

Scanning for player movement

Force players wide and backwards

Additional Points

Gaps between lines no more than 10 yards

Stay compact

Shift and protect

Awareness of defensive lines

 

 

Possession (Not Coached)

Technical Points

Firm passes, shifting the ball quickly

Open body shape to receive

Passing infront to dictate run

Looking to make firm passes, inside of the foot, centre ofthe ball

Right ball speed

Weight of pass – firm to feet, soft to space

Accuracy with direction of pass

Additional Points

Stretch play

Increase width and height of field

Expand the field

Quick Movement to support the attack

Patient build up

Playthrough, around or over the opposition