Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Defending

Warm-up (15 mins)

Dynamic warmup

Speed and agility warm up

Function - Back 4 squeezing play and shadow play (30 mins)

Organisation

- Red = GK, Back 4, 2 DCM's vs Grey = 2 CF's and Midfield 4 (could go to 3 CF's & 3 CM's) (6v6)

- Grey 1 starts the function with forward pass to team mate.

- Grey team looking to make 6 passes side to side engaging the Red team back 4 who will "shadow

mark" and press the Grey team. Game is passive at this point.

- Maximum 6 passes then back to start for a long direct ball to be played at the Red team back 4.

- Red team back 4 to move / squeeze as appropriate. Must attack the the ball to clear and then

squeeze the play.

- Upon 2nd ball the game is live in a 6 v 6 game. Grey team looking to score in the big goal and the

Red team looking to win the ball and play a pass into the 2 target goals.

- Maximum live play should be 3 minutes (or until a goal is scored) and then the function restarts.

- Grey team can be rotated with other players available.

Key Factors

- Pressure, cover and balance

- Starting position of back 4 (NOT too deep)

- When the back 4 win the ball they must squeeze play and not stay deep

- CB communicate to CM on positioning

- Stay narrow and compact

- Positive starting position for GK, on front foot to cut out through balls

- Don't sit too deep, squeeze the play when possible.

- Opposition head down - squeeze play

- Opposition head up - drop off - if appropriate.

Defending Key Points

- Apply pressure to the opposition - Who, When, Where, How

- Who, when and where is pressure, cover and balance applied

- How are pressure, cover and balance provided to direct play or prevent penetration

- Side on Approach - Don't get caught flat

- Compact and Narrow Unit shape

- Show Inside/Outside

- Communication

- Angles and Distances of support

- Decision Making

- Tracking Runners

- Recovery Runs