Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 5v5 Defending with Transition to Attack

5v5 Defending with Transition to Attack

Objective

A functional practice with the purpose toimprove players situational awareness as a defensive unit – Pressure, Cover andBalance with transition

Organisation

• Area: 40m x 30m (end zones 5m)
• Blue Team: Back 2 (RCB & LCB) and Midfield 3 (2 CDM’s & 1 CAM)
• Yellow Team: Midfield 2 (2 CAM’s) and Attacking 3(CF, WR & WL)
• Yellow team start the practice with emphasis on scoring into either small goal against the Blue team. Yellow team must first enter the end zone before scoring. Blue team look to maintain shape and balance throughout, attempting to close space off through the middle. Blue team must be disciplined and not enter the end zone that they are defending.
• If the Blue team win possession they must quickly transition to attack and attempt to score in either of the small goals at the opposite end with the Yellow team now transitioning to defend. Both attacking and defending objectives remain the same for both teams in transition.
• If the ball goes out of play, game restarts withthe Yellow team.

Key Factors

• Team Shape – tight and compact – make it difficult to play through, projecting a strong core
• Maintain shape and recognise when to press
• Pressing triggers: poor weight and accuracy of pass, poor first touch, poor body positioning
• Communication between defensive units is key!
• Limit space in between and behind the units
• Opened body shape when defending to see both ball and player
• When ball is won, look to play forward asquickly as possible through quality passing and movement

Notes

1 v 1 Defending is key – Delay, Deny, Destroy. Encouragediscipline in defending and, freedom and focus in transition to attack