Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Defending with Zonal 4

Defending back 4 (20 mins)

Objective(s)

1. Coach how to shift the defending block.

2. Coach team how to compact the field.

3. Coach defending deep.

Key Coaching Points (KPs)

1. Communication to move as a unit.

2. React to the ball position as the ball moves.

3. Front 2 stay compact.

4. Attacking team should look to switch to challenge

the blocks movement.

5. Look to play deep and tight for the most part.

6. In the final SSG, be aware of off-sides.

7. Stay compact at all times when defending.

Organization

• 1/2 Field (Approx 60x50 yrds) (30-40 mins). Field split into 2 zones horizontally

and 2 vertically. Age: 14-Adult. 14 Players. (+2GK for Progressions). 1

Full size goal and 2 smaller gate goals:

• Formations & Set-Up

• 1. 7 players (Red) +GK (4-1-2 Formation). 6 Blue Players (4-2 Formation).

• 2. Balls positoned next to Red teams goal.

• 3. Start Position from the Red GK. Can be varied as desired.

Diagram 1. Standard Set-Up

Diagram 2. Maintaining Spacing

When defending as a block (zonal defending) the spacing must remain

fairly compact. Here we are using a zonal back 4.

Progressions

• Replace the small gate goals with full size goals and 2 GKs.

• Remove the Double goals and add a single for the SSG.

• Play 2 touch in the defending half.

• Full size game (using a training line if needed).

Instructions

• Game starts when the Red GK distributes the ball out to the red back 4. They maintain

possession and attempt to score on the two smaller goals on the half way line. The Blue back

4 are not allowed out of the Back 4 Zone. The two blue forwards are free to move where they

choose. The whole Red team is also allowed to move where they desire

Variations

• Increase the size of the field to allow players more space and time. The final 8vs8 can be

set-up to go from 18yrd box to 18yrd box. Players can be asked to take mandatory 2 touches

in the early stages of this session to allow the defending team time to slide to protect the

strong side.