Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending 3v3

Animation 2

• Defending 3v3: 
  

Defending Principles of Play:

• Pressing
• Delay
• Recover
• Cover & Balance
• Compactness
• Deny

• Red team are Defending on both pitches. Looking to Defend as a team and win the ball back at the right time and counter attack to score. 
• Blue team are Attacking on both pitches looking to score in the goal. 

Looking at Player Positioning depending on where the ball is on the pitch.

Ball in the Centre of the Pitch. 

• When the Blue 9 has the ball the Red 5 should press with Red 2 & 3 should stay narrow, forming a triangle shape. 
• This allows the defending team to be in a shape that allows the Red 2 & 3 to be in a positioning to cut passes into the wide Blue players, whilst also being able to press the Blue 9 if they beat Red 5. 
• Red 5 should also look to press from a side, therefore restricting the passing options for the Blue 9 and dictating play. 

• As the ball is moving to Blue 7, Red 3 should look to press as the ball is moving. 
• Red 5 should drop back in a central area behind Red 3 and at an angle. 
• Red team should look to form a Diagonal Line when the ball is in a wide area.
• Red 2 should tuck in and take up a position just behind Red 5 again at an angle. 
• Red 3 is applying Pressure, Red 5 is providing Cover & Red 2 is providing Balance. 

• If the ball is switched, the Defending team (Reds), should follow the same positioning just on the opposite side. 
• Red 2 should look to press as the ball is moving so they are close to the Opponent as they’re receiving the ball. Red 5 and 3 should shuffle across to form a diagonal line. 
• Red 2 is applying pressure, Red 5 is providing Cover & Red 3 is providing Balance.

• Blue 11 looks to pass into Blue 9 and make a forward run, but this passing lane is blocked as Red 2 drops back as soon as the pass is played. 
• Blue 3 drops in to form a triangle as Red 5 presses. 
• This allows Red 3 to be in a position to intercept the poor pass from Blue 9 and counter attack to score. 

• Blue 11 beats Red 2, however as Red 5 is covering in the correct position, they are able to Delay Blue 11 and allow Red 2 to Recover. 
• Red 5 looks to be patient and win the ball from a bad touch from Blue 11. 
• Once they’ve won the ball, be positive and counter attack with speed and directness to score.