Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U16 Session 1: Defending in 2 x 4 Man Blocks - Opponents Half (Start Time: 2016-08-29 16:05:00)

Function - Defending long goal kicks (20 mins)

Organisation

Use a full width half a pitch. Divide pitch into two halves (see blue line). Place a red line of cones 10 yards from edge of area.

Split players in to 9 red and 8 blue players. Red team to be coached.

Blue team to play in a 4-2-1.

Red Team to play in a 4-2-3 - with LMF and RMF dropping back to join Red 6 & 8 in a first bank of 4 players, Red 3,4,5 & 2 forming the second bank of 4 players.

Play always starts from Blue GK.

Instructions

GK must always play a long ball which must firstly, cross the red line; and secondly, be restricted to the half on which side the ball is kicked from.

LMF/LB and RMF/RB are restricted from entering the side in which the ball will be played - to maintain a defensive balance and to provide an outlet in the event that possession is obtained.

Red team must form the two banks of 4 players each time the GK restarts play.

Blue team players can play anywhere.

Aim

Blue team must seek to dribble the ball over the half way line in order to score.

If red team gain possession, then they seek to score in the usual way, initially within 30 secs of gaining possession.

Coaching Points

Be strong and have a desire to with the ball. Can we get to the ball first.

Keep shape - ensure distances between each player in a block are not too wide and ensure the distance between the two blocks of 4 is not too great.

Positioning is key - support team mate; threaten pass; mark passing line.

Effect No. 10 - free to roam - and press defence.

What if Red Team gain Possession?

What if Red team gain Possession?

Transition from defensive 4-4-1 to 3-5-1.

In the above example, Red 6 has gained possession.

Effect No.11 - Support No.6 to create an angle for a pass by coming inside and leaving the outside channel free for Red 3. By doing so Blue RB is likely to follow, leaving space for Red 3 to exploit.

Effect Red 3 - Red 3 must act quickly to create width - heading wide into the channel on the wing.

Effect Red 2 - Red 2 must look advance to create a 5 man MF - looking to exploit the space on the opposite flank - and not being drawn into the centre of the pitch. He will provide a useful outlet option. Good decision making - how far to advance at any particular time - prepared to defend if possession is lost.

Effect Red 8 - his positioning will depend on the decision making or Red 6 - if Red 6 advances, he will hang back and form a 3 man defence with Red 4 & 5. If Red 6 looks to pass the ball, Red 8 can advance and/or try to create a passing line.

Effect Red 10 - can he move so as to create a passing line for himself or to create space for others perhaps to exploit? A. Movement into the opposite half may create space for Red 8 to exploit? B. Movement in the opposite direction could have a similar effect and create a paasing line for Red 6 to pass to him - but - beware - could take up the space which Red 11 intended to use? Good communication and awareness is essential.

Effect Red 7 - Try to create a passing line - remember balance - if ball is played out to Red 2, Red 7 will provide support and rest of MF will slide across too.

Effect Red 4 & 5 - tSlide across and ogether with either Red 6 or 8 - will provide defensive cover, with Red 6 or 8 playing just in front.

SSG

Organisation

Set up pitch as above.

Split up players into two teams - 10 red (4-2-3) and 9 Blue (3-2-3).

Instructions

Play commences from either GK.

Condition Red team to reset as above each time Blue GK has the ball.

Blue GK can play long or out from the back.

Play as usual.

Coaching Points

Encourage Red team to reset each time Blue GK has the ball.

If the GK plays out from the back, allow Red 10 to press, but othjerwise retain shape - patience is key.

If Red team gain possession, adopt attacking formation as quickly as possible. Do we need to hold the ball and retain possession for the first three passes - safe passes - to allow players to get into formation and then seek to play out to the wing (3-5-1)?

If we lose possession, can we have a quick transition into two blocks of 4? Can we hold up the opposition to allow our players time to regain possession? If we need to play the ball back to our GK in order to rebuild, so be it. Can we recycle the ball through the GK and play out to the other side - movement of the ball will cause gaps to arise in the opponents formation which can be exploited.