Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defensive Transitions - Counter-Pressing (Winning the ball back after losing it)

2v2 Transitional Reactions (15 mins)

2v2 Transitional Reactions

The focus of this practice is the same as the previous one except now it is a 2v2 duel with the second defender now providing cover to the first.

Set Up

• 15m x 5m divided into half (2 x 7.5m by 5m squares end on end)
• Mini goals at each end.
• Balls and players all start at the same end of the area.

Explanation/Coaching Points

• Same as previous practice with the addition of a second defender providing cover for the first defender.

Individual Points focusing on Defending player.

• Players must react quickly to the lost ball.
• Players should not get beat in the duel by slowing down and redirecting the opposition, preventing them from playing forward.
• If players cannot slow down or delay the opponent then players should be aggressive and strong in duels to ensure the player cannot drive past them.
• Second player must provide cover for the first by protecting the space behind in case the first defender is beaten but also to become the first defender if the second attacker receives the ball.

**This practice can also be done as a wave game with players starting at both ends of the area.

Small Sided Game - Counter-Attack & Counter Press (40 mins)

The focus of this small sided game is the collective actions of players and their immediate reaction in a transitional moments in a game.

Set-Up

• 55m x 25-30m are divided into half.
• Large goals at each end with a GK
• 6 v 6 + GKs

Restraints/Rewards

• Both teams starting formation is 2 - 3- 1 (CB-CB-6-8-10-9) with players also bound into these starting zones on restarts; and teams must keep a 1v1 in each end zones at all times.
• If a team wins the ball in the attacking half by counter pressing the goal is worth 3 points.

Explanation/Coaching Points

The focus of the session is the attack-to-defence transitional moments in a game. For this to occur then we need to emphasise the defence-to-attack transitional moments. This occurs by the attacking teams ability that once they win the ball to penetrate forward quickly into the attacking zone and earn 3 points if they can successfully score.

The team that finds itself in an attack-to-defence moment is required to counter-press. If they cannot win the ball immediately back then they should look to delay the opposition to allow their teammates to get behind the ball and block the opposition penetrating the final third.

Individual Coaching Points

Coaching Points for midfielders (6, 8, 10)

In the moment possession is lost, the nearest midfielders to the opposition player in possession are required to apply pressure on them, firstly looking to win possession back and secondly looking to get goal side and force them away from central areas. Additional midfielders should also retreat behind the ball and get organised.

• Reaction to a lost ball - quick reactions from players recognising/anticipating those attack-to-defense transitional moments.
• Aggressiveness in duels - being strong in 1v1 duels to prevent to opponent from building an attack; also trying to regain possession.
• Delaying and directing the opponent - slowing down and redirecting the opposition, preventing them from playing forward.
  • Doubling or tripling of players - creating a numerical advantage behind the first defender aimed at slowing down or preventing the opposing team from playing  
       - physical pressure on ball carrier from multiple players;
       - blocking forward or diagonal passing lanes to surrounding players

Coaching Points for centre backs (3, 4)

One of the centre backs will look to step up forward into the central zone and protect the space behind the midfielders. Their role is to if possible to push high up and block both forward passes as well as any immediate passing lanes into side mini goal. They're to recognise the cues of midfielder defending (ie if midfielder is on the right shoulder of the defender then the cb needs to recognise which side to protect.) There must also be good timing in this action to ensure the central space is still protected until the recovering midfielders have dropped to block this space and prevent forward passes into the end zone.

• Doubling or tripling of players - creating a numerical advantage aimed at slowing down or preventing the opposing team from playing  
     - blocking forward or diagonal passing lanes to surrounding players
  
• Preventing play into depth with diagonal coverage - support from teammate behind the player pressing the ball to close any space that could be used for through balls and intercept forward passes.

Four sets of 7 minutes - 3 minute rests = 40 minutes.