Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U14 Session 2 : SSG - Defending with a Back 4 (Start Time: 2016-01-31 16:15:00)

SSG (30 mins)

Organisation

Split players into two teams - 10 white (4-2-3) and 9 blue (4-3-1)

Create a pitch as above, marking a 10 yard wide zone in the middle of the pitch.

Place cones as markers every 10 yards from goal on the White teams half of the pitch.

White team to be coached.

Instructions

Offside rule applies.

When defending, white defence must hold a line as a defensive unit - CB's to call command. Defence should all be no more than the width of the penalty area apart and approx 6-8 yards from each other (see over).

White defensive unit must slide, hold, advance or drop as necessary.

White 6 & 8 must protect Zone 14 when defending - playing just in front of the back 4 and not playing out too wide.

When attacking, Defensive unit advances as a single unit.

As a guide, if the White team advance beyond the shaded area, the defensive unit must be no lower than the edge of that shaded area.

Conditions

Initially:

Condition White defenders that they cannot progress beyond Line A - to make it easier to maintain the defensive line.

Condition the Blue Midfield and attacker that they cannot drop beyond line B - to ensure parity and realism in the attacking third.

Condition the Blue Defenders that they cannot advance beyond line B.

Condition White 7,10 & 11 that they cannot drop beyond line A.

Only White 6 & 8 are able to play anywhere on the pitch therefore.

Progressions

1. Remove conditions.

Playing out from the Back

Effect Defenders

2 & 3 - high & wide

4 & 5 - split or switch - to create space to receive the ball direct or to allow 6 to receive instead.

If 4 drops deep to receive the ball, 6 can drop to cover.

Can we get the ball to our playmaker - 8 - if we are playing down the middle of the pitch.

Pass with a purpose - to give us a chance to get our shape and advance together.

A quick distribution of the ball, could lead to possession being lost and us then having to defend when out of shape generally.

11 aside positions when playing the ball out from the back