Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Low block (defensive structure)
Premier Users' Club
Kelvin Mizen
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
25 mins
Topic - Low Block Organization
Principles
- Initiate pressure on the opponent with the ball
- Create optimal distances between players & units
- Engage when chance of regaining the ball
- Constant communication with teammates and having the awareness of around you
Red (attacking team) are looking to move and circulate the ball within the box to create space and unbalance the blue defensive unit. To score, Red must successfully find a pass into the central red player positioned in the shaded zone.
Blue must stay compact, maintain defensive shape, and shift as the ball moves to block any passing lanes into the central area. If Blue wins possession, they can immediately counter and score on the outside counter goals.
Key Defensive Coaching points (Blue)
- Compactness: Stay tight centrally to protect the most dangerous space
- Pressure, Cover, Balance: Nearest player applies pressure while teammates provide cover and maintain structure
- Body Shape: Side-on positioning to see both ball and central player
- Communication: Constant talking to pass runners on and maintain spacing.
- Anticipation: Recognise cues for when the pass into the central area is likely and step in early
- Patience: Don’t get pulled out, hold shape and force play wide or backwards
Progressions
1. Touch Limitation (Attacking Constraint)
Limit Red to 2-3 touches to increase speed of play and encourage quicker combinations into the central zone.
2.. Transition Emphasis
On winning possession, Blue must complete 3 passes before scoring on counter goals to encourage composure after recovery.
3. Directional Pressure Adjustment
Add a second central target
4. Time Constraint
Set a 10-15 second limit for Red to create a scoring opportunity, encouraging quicker circulation and more aggressive defensive pressing triggers.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
30 mins
Topic - Low Block Organization
Principles
- Initiate pressure on the opponent with the ball
- Create optimal distances between players & units
- Engage when chance of regaining the ball
- Constant communication with teammates and having the awareness of around you
Area Aim:
Stop opposition from being able to generate actions on goal from within the 18-yard box area
Terminology:
Protect Centre, Block, Track, Match Overload
Game principles:
- Protect the goal
We must defend the depth behind our defensive line and denying opposition access to key dangerous position
Set Up:
- half field (just inside half) depending on age and number of players this can be performed and adapted into a 1/4 field.
Organisation:
- 8v8
Explanation:
ball always starts at the top going towards goal, team in possession must build to try to score. 3 points to attacking team if they score from the middle zone
- The defending team must defend. If they win the ball outside the box they get 1 point, extra 2 points if they score
Coaching Points:
Scan - Identify areas of vulnerability
• Move - Delay the attack
- Fill key box defence areas
- Body position to see ball and man with peripheral vision
- Track runners
- Match the overload to force and keep wide (1st, 2nd and 3rd
defender principles)
- Dominate 1v1 defending (applying pressure from front, side
and back to prevent actions on goal)
- Protect the centre
- Close space between lines (horizontal and vertical)
- Dominate 1v1 defending (stop cross/shot)
- Calm/control in numerical disadvantage (1v2, 2v3, etc.)
- "Clear the box" by collectively stepping out on negative pass.
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20 mins
Topic - Low Block Organization
Principles
Setup - 10 x 15 space
3 gates at the top or mini goals after the gate. Set up multiple grids depending on the number of players.
Explanation
1 v 1 defending drill, when the attacking player moves (blue), defending player can move to try tag the attacking player, attacking player gets a 1 point for either side cone or 3 points for the cone where the defender started from. play 3 rounds and switch teams, most points as a team wins.
Progression:
1.using the ball, players now must dribble through a gate to score points, far gate 3points, side gates 1 point
2. 2v1 for attackers, 2nd attacker must come outside gate, must be over half to score
3. 3v2, attackers through outside gate, defenders protect middle. Expand area for this one.
Coaching Points