Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Specific Practice into SSG / Defending breaking the lines in a 4-3-3 (25min)

Specific Practice / 8v6 (6 reds out of possession)

The Welsh Way Principles of play / Defend breaking the lines: 

• Fast pressure on the ball
• Protect the middle
• Stay Narrow and compact
• Stop split passes
• Protect the space behinde

• It’s a 6v8 game with the blue team playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation (8 players: only goalkeeper, back four, two holding midfielders, and one No. 10) against the red team, which is coached and set up in a 4-3-3 formation (6 players: three midfielders and a front three).
• The red team is focused on defending and applying various pressing strategies against the blue team, which aims to play out from the back, break through the red team’s lines, and score in one of three mini-goals.
• The red team’s entire back four is removed from play, as are the center forward and two wingers from the blue team.
• Play always starts with either the goalkeeper or center-back of the blue team, who initiates the play from the back.
• If the red team regains possession, they are allowed to score on the regular goal without any time constraint, allowing them to apply all “in-possession” principles.

Coaching content (Red coached team): 

• The team should understand the different types of pressure (high, mid/low)  they can apply to prevent the opposition from playing through, around, or over them.
• Coach players to stay narrow and compact, forcing mistakes and intercepting central passes. Aware of the space behind.
• Highlight the triggers for pressing, especially in the second block when working from a deeper position. Examples include a poor pass, a bad first touch, or intentionally allowing the ball to be played to the full-back or letting a center-back carry the ball forward.

   

Coaching interventions: 

• Walk through (quick because quiet simple)
• Concurrent
• Terminal
• Coaching process

• Blcok 1: Challenge=  As we press high up the pitch, the opponent creates a central overload using their two center-backs and goalkeeper, taking advantage of our single center forward. Solution= We push one of our number eights forward into the striker position, while our holding midfielder shifts to form a double pivot in midfield. This allows us to press in a 4-4-2 shape in a high press. Once we guide the opponent to one side, we press them there to force an error or regain possession quickly. Our winger marks their full-back, while our strikers press the center-backs and GK to prevent a switch of play by playing back to them. The ball side central midfielder covers their nearest number six, with our other CM tucking in to shield their number ten. On the opposite side, our far-side winger moves centrally to press their second holding midfielder.
• Block 2: Challenge= In a low block, the challenge is to maintain defensive intensity without the high press. We still work hard, but from a deeper starting position. Players may lose confidence due to extended periods without possession, as the opponent will likely switch play multiple times and appear comfortable on the ball. Solution= Emphasize that it’s acceptable to allow the opponent possession, as long as we defend effectively within our designated zone. Strong communication is essential—staying very narrow with the two wingers closing more inside first. If the opponent enters our zone and we decide to press, the entire block should move together out of the mid/low block to maintain pressure and disrupt their play.
• Conditions: Play always starts from the back with a Goal kick.
• Target: Reds (coached)=  Defend the mini-goals and score regular goal. Blues= score mini-goals by playing from the back starting with a goal kick.