Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): SSG UEFA B Defending central areas.

Pitch size and units used

Organisation

Pitch size

Half pitch plus 12 yards x width 18yard box plus 6 yards either side.

Equipment

Balls beside both goals

Coaching points (25 mins)

Coaching points

Number 10, look to defend deepest midfield player. showing player one way not to allow switch of play.

Full back on ball side. Be in a position to get close or intercept pass from deepest midfielder. Trigger is as the pass is made. Sprint to attacker getting side on showing play out wide.

2 midfield players. Dont play on same lines, nearest midfielder to the ball slightly advanced and in line of baal and striker, other midfielder, slightly deeper and in a position where the ball cannot be played between them into the central area.

Centre back on ball side. In deeper position when wide attacker has the ball. Able to step across and cover full back if attacker steps past him. Other centre back comes across, kepping roughly the same distance and opposite full back comes in to a more central position. Ideally no further than the centre of the pitch.

If this leaves too much space on switching play, furthest central midfielder will drop into the position left by the furthest centre back.

Distances from goal. How high do the team play? Dependant on where the ball is and the pressure applied.

Goalkeepers starting positions throughoiut will alter, always thinking about what may happen.

Transitions

Number 10 needs to be in a position to recieve ball if team counter attack quickly.( moving away from midfielder into space)