Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): FAW/UEFA A Team Training 7 - Mid block in a 4-4-2

Defending in a Mid Block (25 mins)

Organisation

Reds (coaching) 4-4-2 without FB's 

Blues 4-4-2 with wide midfield players

3x6 minute blocks

90 second intervals

If reds win ball, can they score within 10 seconds

Blue Gk starts practice playing to Blue centre backs.

Coaching Points

Pitch geography

Distances

Defensive balance 

Coach on around and away from the ball

Use assistant coach to manage the opposition to create problems to solve, playing through over and around.

Opposition

Blues will be encouraged to play 3 ways.

Block 1 - Through

Block 2 - Around  

Block 3 - Over

Block 1

Blues look to play through central areas

Reds are playing a mid block, not pressurizing the ball until play enters zoned area, as shown on practice

Reds given information to show Blues outside all over the pitch.

Pivot press

No9 and No10 work as pair, Showing outside once defender enters shaded area, Angle of run body position, stopping switch, triggers and distances away from ball will all be addressed.

Wide midfield players marking the full backs, but not allowing the split pass. Midfielders are man for man marking goal side but touch tight.

Block 2

If the pass goes to full back, wide midfielders to show outside, not allowing the ball into the strikers feet. Angle of the press is important to stop the pass inside. 

Central midfielders, nearest player comes across, in position to cut off passing lane to nearest striker and also in position to close down opposition midfielder.  

Ball side midfield slightly deeper than partner, ready for the opposition midfielder to run into the channel. LCM filling central area, stopping ball into second striker and in a position to affect his opposite number if ball gets played. Opposite wide player to narrow off, so the team are defending 2/3 of the pitch.

In a position to affect pass into the blue RCM, and also in a position to get close to left back if ball is switched.

Block 3

No more pivot press. The two strikers to go against the two CB's

If the blue midfielder drops in the receive the ball, the red CM will have to go with. The wide midfielder will have to narrow up to prevent the slip pass into the strikers feet.

Although playing up agaisnt the two CB's, the strikers will need to start narrower and press the ball at the right time. E.g when a bad pass is made

If the CB or GK shapes to play long, the two CB's need to be touch tight to beat the striker in the air or to prevent them from turning. This is the trigger for the CM's to drop and prevent the pass directly into the strikers feet

What if the ball is played into striker in the channel?

The CB stays tight and attempts to stop the pass inside. The CB shows line, the far sided centre back makes a recovery run into the box, not allowing the striker to get across. Both CM's retreat to the box, one of the edge, one inside helping out the defence. Midfield players drop and narrow in. Strikers drop, one to the half way line, one around the edge of the centre circle.

Transition will have a player on the edge and also a player to go more direct.