Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defensive compactness zones 1+2 (3-4-2-1) (Start Time: 2022-08-17 20:25:00)

compactness warm up activation game (30 mins)

Organization: Grid 25x30 (5/10/10/5) 8 blues, 8 reds (can use second grid with 3/3/3/3 if necessary)

Objective: For red to play a penetrating pass through blues defensive line into the other reds. Blue must stop them and win the ball back without leaving their zone by intercepting the pass. When blue win it they try and do the same and play to their blue teammates on the outside. Unlimited passes allowed for the team in possession in any zone to change the angle. Players are not allowed to leave their areas. Ball must be passed below waist height ie played through not just chipped over the top.

Coaching points: Coaching the shape of the defending team to stay compact when shifting and stepping. Closest player steps to the ball, those beside shift and drop into the passing lanes. Organization, communication and structure to be encouraged. 

90secs in the middle then switch to get familiar then competitive games to 10pts with the switch of players in the middle for both teams happening when the first team gets to 5pts. 3 games

Progression: defending team can send in 1 player (2 games)

(30mins)

Phase 3-4-2-1 v 4-2-3-1 defensive shape (35 mins)

Compactness phase 1-3-4-2-1 vs 4-2-3-1

Organization: full width x 65yds, 3 pug nets red score in the pugs in transition. No slow build up for red, must score within 8secs of regaining possession.

Set up: Normal game rules apply. Blue center backs and red striker cant come back past halfway.

Coaching points: Shifting lines denying space centrally. Introduce the concept of who steps to which player and when. Example 1 of a wingback step to full back with ball can be seen with shifting red arrows ie 9 cuts off switch, spare cdm provides cover for wingback, rcb shifts all the way out to winger, weakside wingback drops in on weak side winger.

Example 2 of spare centre mid shifting to fullback with ball can be seen on the other side with black lines (usually pass lines) we can see that the difference is the stronside wingback drops and picks up the winger. The stringside 10 steps to the ball and the spare cdm steps to pick up the player that the 10 vacates, this can be done by cycling mids either way, just one rotation is shown here. Weakside wingback doesnt drop all the way back in but instead shifts inside 10-15yds to compact the central area.

James working with defending team. 

Leighton working with attacking team to try and find space between the lines to penetrate or fast switches to unbalance red and challenge the shape.