Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): PDP 3: Defending - Blocking The gaps

Technical Practice - 6v6 Defending: Blocking The gaps

THEME: 6v6 Defending - Blocking The gaps

DESCRIPTION OF PRACTICE (TECHNIQUE / SKILL)

A functional practice designed to improve players judgment of distance, awareness, communication and movement when playing in a Defensive unit out of possession

ORGANISATION

• Area 20 x 15 metres
• Blue players play with Blue players, Yellow players play with Yellow players
• Players must stay in their zone
• Players in possession try to play through the gaps keeping ball below head height
• Defending players work as a unit and try to prevent third line passes

COACHING POINTS

·       Movement of Defenders relative to movement of the ball and well-coordinated

·       Can Defenders reduce the space as a unit, the opportunity for opponents to pass through their Defensive lines will be greatly reduced (observe distances between players in each unit)

·       Immediate reaction on winning possession, can you play forward pass behind opposition?

·       In possession can you play with your head up and recognize the moment to pass quickly through a gap

·       Can players move the ball at pace to play through or round the opposing unit?

·       Transition to Attack on winning possession

• Transition to Defend on losing possession
• Decision making and communication are vital

NOTES

Encourage two touch if players of high quality

Animation link: https://lnk2ssp.com/s/8G4Kh/i/av0M/PDP-3-Defending---Blocking-The-gaps.html