Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Improving Team Defensive Shape in Wide Areas or on Switches of Play

2v2 (15 mins)

Set up: 

• Same set up as the first activity (1v1) but this time the players play in a 2v2 scenario
• The player that serves the ball now joins by making an overlapping run and must get to the opposite side of the player that received the initial pass
• The midfield line is used as an offside line 

Progression - No restriction for the attacking team, they do NOT have to make the overlapping run but are free to do whichever movements they want to initiate the attack. 

Coaching Points:

COACHING DETAIL: ATTACKERS

• OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLOIT SPACE
  • Constantly challenge the players to recognize opportunities to drive into space with the ball.
  • Space can open up through a lack of pressure from the defender or being successful in beating the defender in a 1v1 situation.
• TRICKS & TURNS - Give the players freedom to use a range of tricks and turns to attempt to beat the defender.
• SUPPORT PLAY - During 2v2 attacking scenarios, the attacker who is not in possession of the ball should be looking to support the ball in positions that could get the better of the defenders.
• QUICK COMBINATIONS - The attacking players should be encouraged to use one or two touches to create 2v1 situations. Ball speed must be quick to disrupt the defenders’ shape and create such opportunities.

• CLOSING DOWN QUICKLY - Encourage defenders to press the ball at the earliest opportunity. This works to prevent the attacker/s building forward momentum.
• DELAYING PLAY - When defending, players must attempt to delay play for as long as possible. During a match situation, this will give recovering defenders time to get back and disrupt the attack.
• COVERING DEFENDER - When defending 2v2, the defender who is not applying pressure on the ball must ensure they are in a covering defensive position to allow them to affect play if the first defender is beaten by the attacker. This is evident in Progression 3.

8(+2) v 8 Defensive Organization & quick transition (25 mins)

Set up: 

• Using half a full pitch, create 3 zones and have four mini goals on the ednline as shown in the diagram. 
• Team defending the endline with 4 mini goals has 8 players and plays in a 3-5 (from 3-5-2) with 2 outlet payers on the halfline. They score by winning the ball then playing quickly to one of the outlet players, either by first passing into zone 2 or directly.
• Once ball pass is played into one of the outlet players, one of the players from deeper that passed the ball to the outlet player must receive a pass back from one of the forwards in zone 3 closest to the half line. While this is happening, the whole team must move quickly from zone 1 into zone 2 (whilst retaining team shape), pushing the entire team forward. This should happen before the pass is received back from one of the forwards.
• The team attacking the mini goals plays with 2 outside backs, 3 central midfielder, 3 forwards.

Coaching Points:

• Must stay organized and shift as a unit, avoid getting outnumbered
• Good directional pressure
• Recognize when there is a chance to win the ball vs when to have restraint
• Once ball has been won look for quick outlet to target players