Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defensive Principles IV

Sliding & Screening as a Unit (20 mins)

Purpose of the Session

To allow a unit of players (defensive back 4) to practice being compact and sliding and screening to stop forward, penetrative passes.

Organisation

Playing area is divided into thirds, with a narrower central area.

Goal at either end.

Four players in the defensive central zone. Three to five players in the end zones - including a GK in each goal.

Instructions

The red teams aim to pentrate the central zone by playing penetrative passes through the white team. Passes must be below head-height to begin with.

The central screening players remain compact and intercept as many passes through the central zone as possible.

Progressions

1. When the white defenders intercept, they can attack the goal from the zone that the pass came from. Red team must then recover to defend the goal. If the white team score, they swap places with the team they have scored against.

2. A single white defender can now leave the central area at any one time to press the ball (if appropriate).

3. Red team can now play long over the defenders' heads.

Coaching Points

Can the unit work together to discourage or intercept forward passes?

Can they position themselves at angles and distances where a pass cannot be played through them?

Can they work together to 'slide' as one unit to cover the most dangerous areas?

If a pass is played long and high, can the defender pressure and spoil the receivers touch and look to intercept?

When one player is pressing, can he press intelligently, and not just chase after the ball 1 v 4? Can he isolate a player 1 v 1 or make play predictable for the defenders behind him?

If it is inappropriate to press, can you maintain shape and force longer passes?

Once possession is won back, can the defenders counter attack and score in the opposite goal? Can they be clinical when doing so, and then recover to stop the next attack if they do not score?

Scoring

The red team score by passing through the central area, but only half a point for passing over it. Defenders get a point for intercepting, and two if they score as a result of the interception.

Expanded and Set Pieces (25 mins)

Set Up

1. Half the area w/2 goals (or 1 regulation goal w/GK and 2 pugg goals).

2. Players divided into 2 equal teams w/goalkeeper.

3. Coned off 20x40 area in front of one goal.

Instructions

1. Start with a pass from the keeper of the attacking team to a teammate.

2. The defenders must get into position to cover all areas of the box. Two banks of defenders.

3. If a defender puts the ball out of play anywhere on the pitch, a corner is given and defenders must set up for the corner.

4. If the defending team wins the ball, they can counter attack and move outside the area.

5. The attacking team cannot score outside the box. If the attacking team puts the ball out, it restarts with the keeper.

6. The attackers have three attacks before the teams switch.

Set Pieces

Corner kicks (zonal defending/man defending).

Free kicks.

Coaching Points

Deny penetration.

Support and balance.

Moving when the ball does.

Remaining compact.