Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending in Middle Third

Orientation Phase

Organization:

7v5 with attacking side using a 4-3-3 formation and defending side using a 5-2-3 formation.

For simplicity, we are REMOVING the non-essential players so attackers organized in a 4-3 and defenders in a 2-3. Points are scored by attackers when attacking team dribbles into their attacking zone or connect a pass to a teammate in their attacking zone. Points are similarly scored by defenders when defenders dribble into their attacking zone or connect a pass to a teammate in their attacking zone.

5W's:

What: sit back and give opponent space and time to develop play and penetrate into final third with pass or dribble; ineffective at forcing an inaccurate pass and/or a ball that's hard to control.

Who: 8, 10, 7, 9, and 11

Where: middle third

When: when defenders/midfielders exploit the flanks; when midfielders play negative to the back line of 4 and back line switches the point of attack and exploits the flanks

Why: no immediacy to pressure; no pressure at all at times; slow shifting; poor recognition of when to use player marking and zonal marking.

Instructions:

Soccer rules, except restarts begin with back 4 when any team scores point. throw-ins when ball goes out of bounds.

Coaching Points/Questions:

-spread out.

-show me the attacking shape.

-penetrate by exploiting the flanks.

-don't force the attack, maintain possession.

-if you don't have clear options, play negative to back 4 and switch point of attack.

-midfielders need to be mobile and triangulate to create passing angles the back 4 can play to.

Regressions/Progressions:

1. reduce width of field.

2. introduce target players in zone for attackers to play to.

3. add 3 goals in each zone.

4. if back 4 push up too high, add a target player for focus group.

Implementation Phase

Organization:

11v11 game with keepers (depending on numbers can be 9v9 or 7v7).

Instructions:

All soccer rules.

Coaching Points/Questions:

Application of tactical principles and coaching points from Learning Phase. Focus on individual player decision making.

Regressions/Progressions: