Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending in a Low Block

Pro-Club: The Coaches' Voice

The Coaches' Voice .

U12-U16

PRACTICE OBJECTIVES:

Improving a team’s ability to defend in a low block to prevent the opposition entering the defensive third.
Reinforcing the tactical objectives in defence, and how to attack once the ball has been regained.

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FUNCTION:

This directional game is played on half a pitch that is split into three vertical channels. A line is marked out halfway in the middle channel.
Set up a goal at one end with goalkeeper, and two target goals at the opposite end.
Play begins when the coach or neutral player (N) plays into one of the players in an attacking team - Yellows.
The defending team of nine outfield players - Blues line up with two banks of four and one striker. They must work together to defend their goal, win possession and then build and break to score in one of the target goals. The neutral player can be used on the counter-attack.

COACHING DETAIL:

Out of Possession:

Encourage defenders to occupy two out of the three channels at all times and remain compact.
Defenders should be ready to launch an attack once they’ve won the ball.
Defenders must work together throughout the game and should communicate with each other as to when to press, when to drop, and when to slide across from side to side.