Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending with a Back 4 UEFA B Licence

Drill: 2 Defenders v Attacker (10 mins)

Drill

Organisation

Create an area 20 x 40 yards.

Aim

Blue Attacker starts with the ball and dribbles towards the mini goal. As the Attacker progresses, two White Defenders endeavour to defend against him. If White Attackers gain possession, they must try to dribble ball between coned goal. Players swap over after each turn.

Coaching Points

Communication betweeen the two Defendaers is key. One Defender must act as Frist Defender - 'Quick, Slow, Sideways, Low' - aim to get within touching distance of Blue Attacker and press. Which way is he trying to force Attacker? Away from the danger area - the goal - out to the wings.

Second Defender supports - at an angle - goalside of First Defender. If Attacker manages to get past Frist Defender, Second Defender presses as above. First Defender seeks to make reccovery run, places himself on a line between the goal and the Attacker, and at a goalside angle a short distance from the First Defender.

Gap between First and Second Defender must not be more than 5-6 yards.

Delay- allow your team to get back into shape

Deny- Space/Time/Place to shoot

Deflect- be brave, block the ball

Defend- Tackle, win the ball back

SSG (20 mins)

SSG

Organisation

Split players into two teams - 8 blue v 9 white. What if there are insufficient players? If insufficient players, can we revert to a 4-2 for whites and a 2-3-2 for the Blues? Or lose the Blues GK? (could then use 14 players). Miniumum players for SSG would be 4-1 for Blues and 2-3 for Whites, with Blues having a GK and whites without a GK (11 players).

White team to be coached.

White to play in a 4-2-1 formation; Blue team to play in a 3-3-2 formation.

Create an area 70 x 50 yards.

Aim

Blue team are instructed to try to score. White team are conditioned that once they obtain possession they have 10 seconds in which time to try to score, failing which possession will revert to white GK.

Coaching Points

Communication is key. Who takes control? CB's? Move up the pitch as a unit when attacking, to reduce space and force attackers away from goal.

Don't stray too far from each other - try to remain compact, thus restricting opportunities for balls/runs to be played/made behind. Rough guide - defence to remain as compact as the 18 yard box is wide. No more than 6 yards between each other. Shuffle over as a unit as the play is switched from one side to the other.

Adopt the correct body position when defending one on one - try to dictate to the Attcaker which eway you want him to go - inside or outside?

White 6 & 8 need to work with the Defence to close down passing lines and watch runners. Or provide support in place of white 2 & 3 if they press a WMF - can they take White 2 & 3 place until White 2 or 3 is able to recover?

What if a Blue player in possession moves across the pitch? Defenders pass him on? A quasi zonal defence?

Don't forget to effect the white GK - GK can act as a sweeper when Whites are attacking. Can also provide instructions to White players when they are defending.

SSG- Coaching Points

What if Blue team switch play to other side of pitch? White 2 to press WMF. Trigger? As soon as the ball is played. Is there the prospect of an interception? White 4 & 5 to shuffle over, remaining compact. White 3 to drop back and shuffle inside, but to take a higher line than White 4 & 5 (Dog leg).

White 6 to move towards WMF to threaten passing line to Blue CMF and Blue CF. White 8 to shuffle inside also, to provide cover on Blue CMF.

Do defenders show offsidde or inside? Is there cover on the inside? if so, show inside. White 2 could show Blue WMF inside if White 6 is in a position to provide adequate cover.