Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): (Pro Dev) Defending Deep

(PDP) Defending Deep

Practice organisation

Area 75x44yds (width of penalty area), on full pitch, marked-off

with cones & goals at each end, as illustrated.

 18 players (incl. 2GKs), organised in 2 teams of 4-3-1, 1 ball.

 Defending flank players must recover inside practice area & start to

defend narrow.

Attacking flank players may use full width in opponents half.

Practice starts with: ball rolled-out from GK

to attacking full-back.

 work ball into opponents half who look to retreat & establish

compact defensive block, leaving lone striker up-field.

 win possession: they try to make 5/6 passes

to get over half way line, inside coned area, using

lone striker & get ball to opposing GK.

GK restarts practice by rolling-out to opposite flank.

Detail

How deep to drop to establish defensive block with MF & defensive units.

Where, when & how to pressurise ball.

Moving across pitch quickly (sliding) & maintaining distances

between team mates.

How to screen opposition front players.

Body shape, communication & detail of marking

& covering players.

Dealing with quick combination play, crosses & direct play.

2nd. balls & 2nd. phase attacks.

Composure under pressure & not giving away free kicks.

Retaining concentration & marking at back, when team

is in possession.

Simple progression for this practice is:

- On gaining possession: team attempts to strike

at goal within 10 seconds. Key coaching points

drop/recover to just outside 18yd area.

Flank players funneling back towards goal, narrow play to deny

penetration centrally.

D drops deep to cover A team’s MF (holding) player.

Co-ordination of defensive block: when to press, slide & screen

Going out to challenge in flank areas to prevent crosses.

Marking opponents & blocking.

Role of GK.