Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending the final third

Description

Organisation (Practice Layout & Transition)

Walkthrough

Start with the red team and look to play forward. As the ball is play to the 7 blue team look to shift as a compact unit. 2 presses the ball with body shape to show the attacking player down the line. center backs position them selves on the edge of the 18 and in line with front post as a reference point for the defending team. Emphasis in defending across three channels is key. Leaving the furthest player.

What if the ball get played back to the 8, thatd a trigger for the 6 to close down the ball to prevent reds from playing forward. players away from the ball look to shift and get compact quickly to provide cover and balance on the ball forcing play away from goal

Blue defending big goal and look to "find a pass" to either mini goal for 1 pt, play of "green neutral" for bonus point.

Red can also use "green neutral" for pivot who remains on goal line between mini goals. 1 point for goal.  

Terminal

Problem 1: red to play through the 9 and attempt to play through

Solution:  Blue need to organize to ensure either 4 or 5 is marking the 9 whilst the other steps to cover the spare 8/10. Emphasis on Blue maintaining defensive shape and distances. When 6 presses the receiving midfielder, thats trigger spare 4/5 must move to cover the spare 8/10. 4/5 must be organized and ready to swap responsibility for the 9 and spare 8/10. 2/3 need to keep 11/7 outside and in front.

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):

Progression: Green neutral can step into the field to be more involved, always remaining in the first third as a pivot for the red or target for blue.

Regression: Green neutral plays for red team only and can operates as a 6 anywhere. 

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

Challenge: consider time limit for red team creating scoring opportunity to increase tempo/pressure/decision making for blue.

Condition: must connect through specific player before scoring (e.g. 9 centrally or 11/7) to create problem.  

Targets: Consider setting "starting score" in favor of blue at beginning of block to incentivize red to attack and blue to defend lead.

Coaching: emphasis on movements individually and as attacking unit to support and create. address technique. guide their understanding/creative thinking on penetrating a backline when condensed. simulate game situation to see how well they control their play.

Welsh Way  - Show away from goal, Block central passes,Protect the space in behind

SSG

Walkthrough

Start with the red team and look to play forward. As the ball is play to the 7 blue team look to shift as a compact unit. 2 presses the ball with body shape to show the attacking player down the line. center backs position them selves on the edge of the 18 and in line with front post as a reference point for the defending team. Emphasis in defending across three channels is key. Leaving the furthest player.

What if the ball get played back to the 8, thatd a trigger for the 6 to close down the ball to prevent reds from playing forward. players away from the ball look to shift and get compact quickly to provide cover and balance on the ball forcing play away from goal



Problem 3: Encourage 7/11 to invert and 10/8 to move outside.  

Solution: Blue 6 must move across to provide cover for 2/3. 2/3 must communicate to 6 if they intend to track the 11/7 inside to ensure the 6 knows to cover the 8/10. 2/3 to use a "cue" word like "stick" if 2/3 needs the 6 to stick inside and pick up the 11/7 or "swap" if they need the 6 to track the 8/10.

---