Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Controlling the Defensive Transition

1v1 defending (10 mins)

II. 1v1 Defending 10 min (focusing on the response, technique & tactics of the 1st defender)

Exercise: 1 min. bouts of 1v1 duels in confined space. Two teams of players competing 1v1. 3rd team rests and supports.

Objectives:

Improve anticipation, response time, technique and tactics of 1st defender.

Related Objectives:

Improve attackers ability to shield ball without reducing their field vision, twist & turn out of pressure, spot and connect wtih the nearest free man - open teammate)

Space: 25y L x 18y W

Scoring:

Defending player is awarded 1 point for winning the ball and making a successful pass to a free bumper.

Attacking player receive ball from bumper player, shield, eyes up, turn defender, pass to free bumper on one of the other sides of the space. Receive a ball from a new bumper player. 1 point for 90 degree turn and successful pass to free bumper. 3 points for 180 degree turn and successful pass to free man.

Defensive Coaching Points:

Immediate pressure on the ball, shepherd toward a line.

Stay low, see the ball, one hand check, look to poke or block tackle.

Weight balanced evenly on both feet.

Side-on body position, corral attacker one way as you close him down.

Anticipate and prevent attacker from spinning out of pressure.

Poke, block tackle and/or harry without fouling attacker.

When you win the ball - eyes up, arm out to control opponent's body, see and connect with a free bumper as soon as possible.

Phase of play / Positional exercise (30 mins)

IV. Game to Big Goals 30 min (in picture, Blue has just lost possession)

Exercise is focused on game situations, with relation to the thirds of the pitch. Pitch is shortened to to provide more repetitions related to the defensive transition, and to reinforce high tempo defending.

Exercise: 11v11 on shortened field. Corner kicks, goal kicks and restarts included.

Objectives: Improve game situational awareness, anticipation, response and tactics by individuals and the team to both reducing and controlling the defensive transition. Offsides is in effect.

Related Objectives: Improve team's decision-making, movement and execution of possession play

Space: 75y L x 60y W

Scoring: Win the ball back within 4 passes. Create finishing opportunity within 2-3 passes into big goals.

Defensive Coaching Points:

While in possession of the ball:

Use deception with body when identifying and connecting passes.

Longer ground passes must have adequate weight to prevent interception.

Use positioning of weakside players to load areas of weakness and prevent opponent from finding open player on the counter.

Always keep one player overload on our back line.

Goalkeeper use a high enough starting position to be able to control space behind our CBs.

At the moment of defensive transition:

Decisions whether to swarm man on man or execute controlled press into central midfield?

CMs, CBs, GK communicate what is seen (Go! = Swarm, "Press!" = controlled press into midfield).

Team in balance (man for man) at the moment of losing ball? Swarm! (collective shrink).

Team in balance but unable to win ball right away, Press! (encourage pass to strong fullback, swarm that player to win the ball or force hurried pass into the middle).

Team out of balance? Corral ball out wide, wide players underneath their opponents.

Team out of balance? Pressure on the ball, get into positions goalside of opponents.

Our midfield is broken by penetrating pass? Pressure, delay, bodies behind the ball.

Inadequate pressure on the ball? CBs look to drop off, GK look to help control he space behind us with positioning and anticipation.

Loss of possession in risky areas? Quick pressure on the ball, try to win it without fouling opponent, while team collectively shrink behind the ball and into the center to deny attacking space to the opponent.

Win the ball in attacking 1/3? Find free/open man, create finishing opportunity within 2-3 passes (cross, cutback, shot - aerial crosses should be whipped.

Stretch Debrief (5 mins)

VI: Stretch and Debrief 5 min

Check for players' understanding.

Coaching Points:

The importance of quick pressure on the ball.

The importance of one man overload on our back line.

The importance of GK starting position to help center backs control our back space.

Collective commitment from every player to continuing to press.

Defending body mechanics and technique as first defender.

The importance of defending hard without fouling - especially in the defensive and attacking thirds.

The importance of "defensive" anticipation and positioning while in possession to win ball and prevent opponent counter attacks (i.e., weakside players and the goalkeeper).

The quick collective shrink when swarming and defending in risky areas.

Positioning references for all players in the controlled press into the midfield.

The importance of finding the free man immediately upon winning the ball.

The awareness and mindset of getting a finishing opportunity within 2-3 passes in the attacking third, or counter attacking when there is space behind the opponent in middle or defensive third.