Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): YDP Defending when Outnumbered

(YDP) Defending when out numbered 2

Practice organisation

• Area 50x40yds set-out in three areas with goals at each end, as illustrated.

• 14 players (incl. 2GKs), with Defenders initially having a 3v2 advantage in own half.

• Practice starts with: GK rolls ball-out to Attacking team.

• Play has to build through mid area, with one A able to enter to make 3v1.

• Play moves into D’s half with 2A’s able to join-in & make 4v3 advantage.

• D’s have to prevent A’s from scoring whilst outnumbered.

• If D’s gain possession: they look to quickly counter-attack opponents.

• Roles of players changes when play is reversed.

Detail

• Allocation of marking & covering roles when having defensive advantage.

• Early decisions as to who confronts the player in possession when ball enters defending third & roles of other D’s.

• Pressing ball & deflecting attacking play away from central goal scoring areas when outnumbered.

• Constant changes of role & responsibility.

• Maintaining safe defensive structure when counter-attack is initiated.

Progression

- D from middle zone can recover to the defending zone, to make 4v4.

Key coaching points

• D’s organise strategy with numerical advantage of 3v2.

• Quick re-organisation required to deal with numerical disadvantage of 3v4.

• On gaining possession: quick adjustments necessary to initiate counter-attack.