Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Defending deep to counter (for coaches) (Start Time: 2018-01-26 13:10:00)

Passing Practice (10 mins)

Set Up:

Create a 12x16m area with a cone in the top middle and two cones 7 metres down at each side and a small goal at the opposite end (as shown in diagram).

How to Play

Three players keep possession - every pass has to go through the middle player.

Two or three passive only defenders (depending on player numbers) protect the goal by getting into a position where:

- wide players is pressured by nearest defender (so he/she can't play forward) and 2nd defender is covering

- top central player can't play between you

If you have 3 defenders, the attackers can look to play a switch. The highest defender should pressure the top player and recover to prevent switch if it goes wide.

Swap roles after 60 seconds.

Progression

Attackers can attempt to score.

Game training (25 mins)

Set Up

Use just over half a field with a goal at either end & mannequinss/goals to replicate blue wingers.

How to Play

- Starting point - GK with long ball to red CB

- Red CB's on two touch (as they are unopposed)

Red - Score in the big goal

Blue - Win possession & score by passing to manaquin (within 2 touches) or scoring in the goal.

Checklist - Start, Oganisation, Ability, Understanding, Shape, Self

Team Task

Today is about defending and winning the ball deep and hurting the opposition on the counter attack.

Player Tasks

ACM #10

- Find a position to prevent the opposition passing centrally & once the ball has gone wide prevent them switching.

- Pressure ball into deepest midfielder – force away from goal.

- Track forward runs from opposition CM

- Quickly support passes into advanced players in front or with runs in behind.

- Look to pass or travel forward quickly or if not pass to a player who can.

HCM #6/8

- Screen the opposition striker & also find a position to press the nearest player to you

- Get into a covering position immediately after pressuring.

- Track forward runs between or beyond the defensive line.

- When opposition are trapped wide, support team mates to prevent the opposition switching out

- Can you pass or travel forward quickly or if not to a player who can?

- Look to find team mates beyond the opposition defenders

- Recognise when to join the attack or stay and cover.

Full backs #2 #5

- Compact when the ball is central - no balls between CB & FB

- Pressure wide player on the ball side & narrow off on the non-ball side

- Quick & incisive forward passes to initiate the attack

- Quick forward movement to support team mates with width & depth

- Recognise when to join attack & when to stay & cover

CB's #3 #4

- Stay compact to prevent passes between CB’s or between CB & FB

- Keep space between def & midfield to a minimum to prevent opposition receiving between the lines

- Positioning yourself to threaten the ball receiver and limit balls in behind you

- One CB cover the ball side of the furthest player forward & the other provide cover

- Quick & incisive passes to initiate the attack

- Support play from behind

- Provide cover for the players making forward runs

GK #1

- Anticipate balls through/over

- Organise defenders to limit goal scoring opportunities

- Look for opportunities to counter attack quickly

- Recognise when to speed up or slow play down

- Play a pass that allows team mate to receive facing forward