Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA B: Function & SSG - Playing out of Defence (Start Time: 2015-01-12 13:55:00)

Function: Playing out of Defence - 5v3 to targets (5 mins)

Organisation

Use half a 60 x 40 pitch.

Divide players into two teams - blues (3 players) and whites (9 players). White players start with 4 man defence, goalkeeper and deep lying central midfielder together with three white target players placed on the half way line. Blues start with no players on the pitch, to allow a walk through by the whites.

Instructions

1. White goalkeeper starts each time by playing ball to one of the 4 defenders or deep lying MF player.

2. No player is allowed into the penaly area except for the goalkeeper.

3. To begin, white players simply look for passing opportunities amongst themselves before passing to a target player.

4. When blue team are introduced, and gain possession, they have 10 secs in which time to score.

Progressions:

1. Introduce Blue players one by one. Initially, introduce a blue attacking player; followed shortly after by a blue midfielder; then adding a futher blue attacking, to make 5 v 3 outfield players;

2. Vhange how play is restarted so that any white target player lofts the ball to the white goal keeper.

Coaching Points

1. The Left/Right Backs When in possession, effect the white left and right back to play high and wide; thereby creating space not only for themselves, but potentially the centre backs also. This will increase the possible passing options for the GK (and also the Centre Backs, if the GK seeks to play the ball out to them first). In the event that either white left or right back is marked tightly by a blue player, can the left/right back create space by backing off as the GK prepares to kick, and sprinting forward, in an attempt to lose his marker? Or, moving wider and/or higher, in order to create space for the Centre Back? Left/Right back to open body to receive the ball in order to command a fuller view of the pitch and the possible passing/running with the ball opportunites; Can the Left/right back use the front foot? What if the left/right back receives the ball under pressure? the front foot may no longer be appropriate; What communication can the left/right back use to assit the GK? 'Quick ball'?

2. Centre Backs Effect the white Centre backs - when the GK is in possession, how can they create space in order to receive the ball? Can the Centre Backs back off towards the corner of the area? Can they play in combination with each other - movement away from each other then sprint torwards each other to receive the ball? Can they interchange positions with each other to try to lose their marking players? What trigger can they use? 'Change' What if they're closely marked, can they remove themselves from the area, backing off or interchanging with MF, in order to allow the white MF player to drop deep to receive the ball from the GK? Whereabouts do they want to receive the ball? No closer than the edge of the area. Centre Backs - communication with each other is key.

3. Midfield Player Effect the white MF player - how can he assist the GK? Can he move into space to receive the ball from the GK in his deep lying position or if the Centre Backs move backwards to take markers with them does that create a passing opportunity to MF direct? Can the MF interchange with either Centre Back if the Centre Back is closely marked - swap positions? Can he sprint into any spaces created by Centre Backs. Communication between Centre Backs and MF? How will the MF know if the Centre Backs are seeking to get the GK to play the ball out to the MF, with the MF being asked to drop deep to receive? 'Drop Deep' - who calls? Which Centre Back takes control?

4. Goalkeeper Effect the GK - can he help to position the Defenders? Communication with right/left back 'drop deep'; Can he avoid passing the ball when the defender is closely marked? Or assist the Defender 'Man on' - 'Turn'; What if the ball is played out to<

SSG: Playing out of Defence 8v8 (15 mins)

Organisation

Create a pitch 60 x 40 yards;

Use a single regular sized goal in one half, facing three mini goals placed midway in opposing half;

Divide players into two teams - blue and white - 8 players in the white team 7 in the blue team;

White team to consist of goalkeeper, 4 defenders (2,3,4&5); 2 midfielders (6 & 8) and with 1 attacker (10); Blue team to consist of one attacker, 2 MF and 4 defenders - no goalkeepers - thus creating immediate overload for white team;

White team to be coached - concentrating on 4 defenders, GK and MF 2;

Instructions

1. Play (re)commences from either white goalkeeper or either blue central defender from their goal line;

2. Players seek to score goals in usual manner with white players having three target goals to aim at and blue players only one;

3. White team to seek to play from the back once in possession utilising high and wide right and left full backs;

Progressions

1. Begin by instructing all blue players to start behind red cones when white team play out from goalkeeper; and No. 10 white player to play high on last centre back;

2. Remove cones and allow high press by blue players; encouraging central defenders to create space by rotation etc. and switching play through GK where necessary;

3. Award 3 points if Right/Left back manage to dribble the ball into the goal immediately in front of them; 2 points if MF manage to dribble ball into wide goals, or otherwise 1 point for any other white goal; Blue team score 2 points for each goal scored;

Coaching Points

Building on from the function:

1. The Defensive Unit If the Right/left back runs forward with the ball, can a MF player provide cover? How should the rest of the Defensive Unit be positioned if either left/right back runs forward with the ball? All remaining defenders to shuffle across and remain compact, pushing up as high as possible;

5. When defending, defenders to play as a compact unit - Centre Back to take control of the line; What else should the unit do as a whole as the ball is played out of defence? Move the defensive line up. Effect the left/right backs - if one runs forward with the ball should the other one attack also or defend? Defend - holding the line with the left/right back. What if possession is lost? Regain the defensive line and play compact - all four defenders across the width of the penalty area as high as possible;

6. Midfield If the RIght/Left back brings the ball forward, can the nearest MF player provide support? One-two? overlap? avoid taking the left/right backs space? What if the left/right back pushes further forward? Should the MF provide defensive support or attacking support? If the nearest MF player is closely marked, can the two MF players interchange positions to try to create space to receive a pass? Or can the marked MF player drop off, then sprint forward to create space to reveive a pass. If not, can the marked player move away? Can the MF seek to switch play if they reveive the ball? What if possession is lost and the left/right full back is up field? MF to provide defensive cover? Need communication between MF and Defence?

2 and 5 should be high and wide when whites are in possession;

2 and 5 should have the freedom to get up into the attack;

10 should find space b/t lines and offer depth. Also needs to make good decisions on the ball;

6 and 8 should be pivot players, looking to change the point of attack when possible.

3 and 4 drop out and provide depth and support when the ball stalls

6 and 8 need to be in support of the ball and create space for each other

Be quick in transition to defend spaces and get compact right away when possession is lost.

Connect the lines and whole team gets forward when attacking.

Read visual and verbal cues from teammates to anticipate movements.