Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending the Final Third

Framing

SSG

Team in focus - Reds

Reds 4-4-2 (without wingers)

Blues 4-3-3 (without fullbacks)

Blues told to play to centre half and attempt to play wide players to attack the final 3rd

Starting positions:

Centre forward occupies the centre half depending on the side, blocking middle
Midfielders on inside shoulder of their 2 8s to block middle and ball straight to the 10

Centre halves sharing the opposition 9

Full backs narrow but focused on wingers

Block 1

When ball is played to blue winger

Red 6 stays with the blue 10

Red 8 sticks to blue 6

Red 10 screens the middle to stop the switch of play through the blue midfield and also give reds the opportunity to press if the ball goes back towards their goal.

Red full back stays narrow and blocks the middle to force blues to go wide, steps in and engages after the blue line just before they reach the edge of the 18 yard box

Near side centre half covers space in the near post to prevent winger from cutting in or the opposition midfield running near post

Far side centre half gets tight to blue 9

Opposite full back gets in line with far post to pick up any loose ball that creeps through.

Keeper comes off line to claim cross

Block 2

When ball is played to winger

This time the red 6 tracks the ball and presses the winger blocking pass to blue 10, near side full back stays narrow to protect the box and provide security for if the red 6 is beaten

Red 8 screens pass to blue 6 to prevent them switching play through midfield, red 9 blocks pass back to centre half

Red 10 sticks to the blue 8 to limit chance of receiving the ball through a forwards run and disorganising the back line

Far side centre half blocks path to goal for blue 9 and the red 5 marks the space between the other centre half and the full back to pick up any runners into the box

Opposite fullback tucks in again to pick up any loose ball and is ready to press if their is a switch of play.