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Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B Defending the Lines

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FAW Coach Ed

Kieran Maj

Profile Summary

Kieran Maj
Name: Kieran Maj
City: St Helens
Country: United Kingdom
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

SET-UP

  • Half a full-size pitch
  • 1 main goal + 2 mini goals (attacked by Blue)
  • 1 mini goal (attacked by Red)
  • Corner of the pitch cut off on the halfway line

TIMING

- 25 mins whole session 

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific Practice

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific Practice
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Specific Practice

SPECIFIC PRACTICE SET UP

- Pitch split into thirds to identify part of the pitch

- Balls start in the main goal 

- Start play from the goalkeeper after each restart of play

- Coach may throw ball in sporadically to encourage transition 

- Red team (opposition) attack the mini goal

- Blue team (coached) counter to the main goal  

SPECIFIC PRACTICE TIMING 

- 2 x 4 min blocks 

- 1 min rest between blocks 

SPECIFIC PRACTICE SCORING 

- 1 point for any goal scored

- Red - 2 points for scoring a goal via breaking the lines

- Blue have 10 seconds to score after turnover of possession 

SPECIFIC PRACTICE TEAMS 

ATTACKING (4-3-3 | No wingers and 1 less CM for whole session | 8 players) 

DEFENDING (4-3-3 | No FB and 1 less CM for whole session, no GK for the specific practice | 7 players) 

COACHING POINTS FOR OUT-OF-POSSESSION TEAM (BLUE)

  • Compactness & Screening – Midfielders and defenders must stay close together to limit passing lanes.
  • Body Positioning – Players should side-on to block passing lanes while still being able to press.
  • Communication & Scanning – Players must constantly adjust based on opposition movement.
  • Triggering the Press – Identify moments when the opponent has a poor touch or limited options.
  • Defensive Shifting – Moving as a unit to prevent gaps from appearing in the defensive structure.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific Practice Block 1 & 2

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific Practice Block 1 & 2
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Specific Practice Block 1 & 2

BLOCK 1: PROBLEM – Struggling to stop passes breaking through the midfield

SOLUTIONS

  • Compactness in central areas

    • The two CMs should remain narrow and staggered to block forward passes.
    • The ball-side CM presses while the other screens the pass into the ST.

  • ST positioning to block CBs playing forward

    • The Blue ST should position themselves between the two CBs to force passes sideways instead of forward.

  • Triggering pressure

    • The midfield should press aggressively when a Red midfielder receives with their back to goal.

  • Defensive line coordination

    • CBs should be ready to step up if a pass does break through to intercept or delay play.

BLOCK 2: WALKTHROUGH INTERVENTIONS

  • Stop play and highlight body positioning in relation to the ball.
  • Show how the CMs should shift as a unit to block different passing angles.
  • Demonstrate the importance of scanning to anticipate movements from attackers.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small-Sided Game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small-Sided Game
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Small-Sided Game

SSG SET UP 

  • Remove the 2 wide mini goals and keep the central mini goal.
  • 8v8 game with the Blue team defending against breaking lines.

TIMING

  • 3 blocks of 4 minutes
  • 1-minute rest between blocks

COACHING POINTS FOR OUT-OF-POSSESSION TEAM (BLUE)

  • Compact shape – Midfield and defence must stay close to reduce space between the lines.
  • Preventing passes into the ST – The CMs must screen passes into the Red ST.
  • Positioning of the ST – The Blue ST should block access to the opposition’s pivot player.
  • CBs stepping up – If a pass does break the lines, the nearest CB must be proactive and step in.
  • Pressing when appropriate – Players should press only when the opposition is unbalanced.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small-Sided Game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small-Sided Game
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Small-Sided Game

BLOCK 3: PROBLEM – Struggling to stop the opposition breaking through the midfield into the final third

SOLUTIONS

  • Ball-side CM engages the ball carrier

    • Prevent the Red CM from turning and playing forward by pressing aggressively.

  • Opposite CM provides cover

    • Maintain central compactness by ensuring one CM is always screening the ST.

  • Backline positioning

    • CBs must be aware of the ST and adjust their position to cut off through balls.

  • Coordinated pressing triggers

    • If a Red CB takes too many touches, the Blue ST should initiate a press to force a mistake.

BLOCK 4: WALKTHROUGH INTERVENTIONS

  • Highlight the importance of positioning to force play sideways.
  • Show how the ST can manipulate CBs into passing wide instead of centrally.
  • Demonstrate how CBs should react if a pass breaks through midfield.

BLOCK 5: FINAL 4-MINUTE GAME (FREE PLAY)

  • Encourage players to apply everything learned.
  • Minimal interventions – allow for real game problem-solving.
  • Observe and take notes for post-session feedback.

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