Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): What side to defend?

Scenario 1

Set up No1 – Covering Space in behind – The Red Zone

Defending Os GK- 2 – 2 – T

Attacking Xs T – 2 - 2

Organisation

The target player (T) can be used for both teams to recycle the ball and keep the game flowing, the defending team can score by passing to the target player.

Area coned off to work on central areas.

Set up in middle AND DEFENDING third but in central areas

Coaching position where you can coach the defensive unit

Use offside for realism

The Start Point No1

O6 try's to pass to O8 but X6 intercepts.

X6 immediately try's to pass in behind advancing defenders

Or a variation on this start

Scenario 3

Key Coaching Aspects

There is NO pressure on the ball so defenders will have to drop and narrow.

Defenders Cover INSIDE SHOULDERS of attackers in this picture

Primary Player

As 04 goes to attack the ball 05 is in a INSIDE SHOULDER AND CAN

Track the possible run of X10 and still see the ball this is called a Defensive Triangle which means See the Man See the Ball (shown in blue lines)

Cover the are in the red zone behind him

Provide cover and balance for 04.

Technical Detail

Very quick running backwards and laterally

Body shape open to see the defensive triangle

On the front foot

In a position to check that he can support 04

Scenario 5

Problem No3 = Channel Run From X10

X2 looks to pass in behind O3 or into feet of X10

Key Coaching Aspects

05 will have to mark X10 on the OUTSIDE SHOULDER so that he gets to the ball in the red zone before X10 spins in behind him

Primary Players

O5 quickly MAKES A DECISION moves on the execution of the pass and marks the OUTSIDE SHOULDER of X10

Key Technical Detail

O5 on the front foot

Decision if he can intercept on the outside of X10 should the ball go to his feet and not in the Red Zone

NOT GET TURNED by X10

Secondary Players

O4 covers X9 with a defensive triangle on the inside of O5

Provides cover and balance for O5

Cover and Balance in Other Situations

Key Coaching Aspects

Players will have to make decisions quickly on which shoulder to mark and cover

Also when they go tight or make and command space

Players only go tight when the player is a threat!!

O11 – Blocking the Outside Shoulder to force X2 in field

O5 Marking the Outside Shoulder of X10 to defend the red zone stop him turning

O4 provides cover and balance Covering on the Inside Shoulder of X9 and his own O5

O8 Covers the outside shoulder of X6 to Screen the pass to X10 feet

O6 Covers the Inside Shoulder of X8 and O8 screening the pass to X9 yet covering the run of X8

GK command the area behind the defensive unit