Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending in the initial 3rd - Transition wide

Defend your goal 2v2

Method: Defend your goal 2v2



Reds defend, blues attack. Red must serve the ball and then defend their main goal, if they win the ball or keeper catches it they play out into the 2 smaller goals.

Coaching Points:

• Closing Down

Up fast - apply pressure quickly, pressure should orientate the attacker to only be able to go one way (away from goal).

Slow down - Defender must slow down and correctly position himself and not be beaten easily by the defender.

Side side - Defender should orientate his body to the same side as the pressured run. Emphasis on body shape to effect opponent.

Get Low - Defender should get low and be ready to reorientate body as required.

• Press/cover - closest player to the player with the ball presses, other player covers. Priority that opposition cannot play the ball in behind, covering player then applies pressure to other player when he receives the ball.
• Transition - pass the ball into the goals to simulate pass from CB to FB.

Defend your goal 6v6 - transition wide

Method: Back defending vs a front 3 + a 10

Reds defend, blues attack. GK serves the ball to the blue, then reds defend their main goal. If they win the ball or keeper catches it they play out to RB or LB who must receive in the left wing or right wing. They then play into the LW or RW and can go 2v1 against blue full backs.

Back 4 to start defending width of 18 yard box, will shift left and right preserving tight spaces to prevent through balls, always defend 3 of the 5 channels shown above.

Coaching Points:

Press/cover/Balance/more Cover - Introduction of 4th member to simulate the team's in game back 4, role of more cover to be introduced, emphasis on no through balls into opposition 9.

Horizontal Positioning - back 4 to concentrate on defending the width of the 18 yard box, when full back must close outside of this, team should shift over and defend 3 channels. Transitions into the goal within 5 seconds are worth 3.

Transition focus - when possession is turned over defenders must transition to a full back, and into a winger. FB and wingers must receive in LW or RW only, and play to wingers in shaded areas.