Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Phase of Play - Defending in Transition from Zone 4 to Zone 3

Global (20 mins)

Defensive Transition - Zone 3 and Zone 4 - Press or Compact

Equipment 

 Cones: 4 Red, 2 Blue 

 Pinnies: 1 White, 1 Green, 5 Blue, 5 Red, 5 Pink 

 Balls: 12 Balls

 Area: 44 Yards x 55 Yards 

 ORGANIZATION

Approximate dimensions: Half Field.

6 v 6 + GK

Each team has a player in the end zone area to support completion of passes under pressure into the area (red team) and to start possession of the ball (blue team)  

Start 1: red team GK. To encourage pressing and compactness from blue team

Start 2: Blue team end zone player. To encourage reactions on blue team ball loss


DESCRIPTION

This phase of play should have a natural flow to it, with some conditions to encourage pressing.

All players are free to move anywhere on the field once the ball is played from the GK 

play 6 v 6+GK in a half field area.  

Formation:

• attacking team (red team in diagram) plays in 1-2-3 formation
• defending team (blue team in diagram) plays 1-2-3 formation

RESTARTS

The practice always starts and restarts with either (1) red team GK  or (2) blue team player in possession from the end zone area.

SCORING

- Red team earns one point for successfully dribbling/passing the ball into the end zone area inside 20 seconds.- Blue team earns one point for performing three successful presses consecutively, stopping red team from progressing into the end zone area inside 20 seconds;
- Blue team earns one point if they recover possession and score on a counter.

Coaching Points

Principle 1: Press

•  Immediate mentality change upon losing possession 
• Identifying moment of ball loss and establishing pressure (from closest player)
• Win the ball back within the opponents next 3 passes 
• "Hunt" as a group 

Principle 2: Compact

•  If defensively unbalanced drop and protect space behind
•  Direct ball to flanks while eliminating forward passing lanes
• Compactness between players and between lines 

Defensive Principles

• Delay
• Restrain
• Compact
• Control
• Deny