Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Game Management - Defending A Lead SSG

SSG

SSG / Out Of Possession / Game Management - Defending A Lead

15 Minutes

Welsh Way Principles:

Understand how to employ game management to defend a lead late in a game through defending the lines and counter attacking

Organisation / Area Size:

Full size goal at each end

9v9 including GKs

Red set up in a GK-4-2-3-1 minus wingers in a GK-4-2-1-1

Blue set up in a GK-4-3-3 minus fullbacks in a GK-2-3-3

How:

Working with the Reds, they will be coached on how to use game management to defend a lead by defending the lines and exploiting opportunities to counter attack. Working in 3 blocks of 5 minutes the Reds will be coached on:

Block 1) Defend the middle/Stay narrow and compact

2) Stop split passes/Protect the space behind

3) Counter attacking

To maintain realism, the Blues will be managed to make the pitch big and look to commit numbers forward.

Explanation:

Play restarts from whichever end the ball goes out.

The Blues are to be managed to make the pitch big and look to exploit the space.

Working in the 3 blocks:

Block 1) Defend the middle/Stay narrow and compact - stay narrow and compact by engaging in the press only when the opposition cross the halfway line. Make play predictable by forcing play wide

2) Stop split passes/Protect the space behind - Red midfield and ST to be coached on stopping split passes. When the ST is pressing one side, the furthest forward midfielder tucks in. If play is switched, the midfielder steps forward to press and the ST tucks in. The back 4 are to be coached in a low block to reduce the space in behind and the GK is to be coached to come for any long balls/early crosses into the box

3) Counter attacking - If possession is won, the Reds are to be coached to quickly exploit any gaps left by the opposition committing numbers forward

Challenges, Conditions & Targets:

The practice is conditioned with the tapered corners. The Blues as a team are challenged are to commit numbers forward to create overloads and opportunites to score.

Key Points:

Stay Compact

Stop Split Passes

Protect the Middle

Protect the space behind

Interventions:

Terminal (during rest breaks)

Concurrent