Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Defending in and around the penalty area (Start Time: 2016-10-27 19:05:00)

Function (20 mins)

Organisation:

Condence the pitch to one side slightly past the width of the 18 yard box and the opposite side full width. Length to be just before the centre circle, tapered in at the side that is smaller in width.

Formation's - attacking team (yellow) has 5 players in a 3-2 formation + 1 server. Defending team (red) has 4 outfield players and a GK and will play in an outfield formation of 3-1. Offside rule to be utilised depending on the progression of the session.

Start position - the start position for this function will always be from the central midfielder of the attacking team (yellow) who will receive a football from the server and then distribute wide or central and then join his team in attacking.

Player movement:

* Closest defender must pressure the attacker quickly whilst not "selling themselves."

* Good technique is essential; travel as the ball travels, then slow on approach with the correct stance.

* Defenders first thought is to deny the attacker a clear shooting chance on goal.

* Effective communication from supporting defenders is needed to guise the pressuring defender.

* Effective communication is required from the GK as he can see the whole picture.

* The defenside line must shift accross during play to compact the area, whilst keeping an eye on other attackers should a successful through ball be played.

* Defending midfielder to press and recover in line with the ball to provide balance for the defending team.

* Upon winning the ball back, defending team to pass the ball back to the server who will then start the function again.

Key technical aspects:

* Delay/pressure - must be rapid, in this area the consequences are high.

* Support - supporting player also moves quickly, continually providing guidance.

* Compactness - defensive unit move to deny space to spoil the attackers progress.

* Balance - Midfield player to recover to provide balance to deny the parallel option.

* Control - make the play predictable; force the attackers backwards, wide or provoke a shot from long distance.

Other things to consider:

* Can defenders see both the attacker and the ball at all times?

* Could it be an idea for defenders to use reference points (eg. goal posts, 6 yard box) as to not to be dragged out to try and support?

* Are the players aware to scan and screen for switches of play?

* Speak to attacking central midfielder to dribble with the ball instead of passing (at the start point) to see how it effects play.

Phase of play I

Start position - Attacking defender (yellow) passes into a central midfielder, who then plays a long bal into space towards one of the flanks in behind the defence. Fellow attacking midfielder to attempt to get into that space to create an attacking opportunity. Fellow attackers to join play to try and manipulate the defence.

Defensive play (coached) - Defence to start higher up the pitch and narrow. Upon the penetrating ball being played, the defence must move to approrpiate positions in order to avoid a goal scoring opportunity.

Player movement:

* Closest defender must pressure the attacker quickly whilst not "selling themselves."

* Good technique is essential; travel as the ball travels, then slow on approach with the correct stance.

* Defenders first thought is to deny the attacker a clear shooting chance on goal.

* Effective communication from supporting defenders is needed to guise the pressuring defender.

* Effective communication is required from the GK as he can see the whole picture.

* The defenside line must shift accross during play to compact the area, whilst keeping an eye on other attackers should a successful through ball be played.

* Defending midfielder to press and recover in line with the ball to provide balance for the defending team.

* Upon winning the ball back, defending team to pass the ball back to the attacking central midfielder to start the function again.

Key technical aspects:

* Delay/pressure - must be rapid, in this area the consequences are high.

* Support - supporting player also moves quickly, continually providing guidance.

* Compactness - defensive unit move to deny space to spoil the attackers progress.

* Balance - Midfield player to recover to provide balance to deny the parallel option.

* Control - make the play predictable; force the attackers backwards, wide or provoke a shot from long distance.

Other things to consider:

* Can defenders see both the attacker and the ball at all times?

* Could it be an idea for defenders to use reference points (eg. goal posts, 6 yard box) as to not to be dragged out to try and support?

* Are the players aware to scan and screen for switches of play?

* Speak to attacking central midfielder to dribble with the ball instead of passing (at the start point) to see how it effects play.

* Defending must start from the front (reds attacker). If they fail to win the ball, they can still put on pressure to limit the options of the man with the ball and could even make them try to make the pass quicker and make a mistake.

* The back 4 defenders must communicate and try to make play predictable, thus, making it easier for their team.

In Defence:

* Be on the front foot (ready to intercept).

* Cover and balance (for units behind the ball).

* Chack shoulders (for lateral cover and balance).

* Re-assess and make decisions.

* Tracking players (see the player see the ball - the defensive triangle).

* Recovery runs (get goal side for cover and balance).

* Drop and narrow (towards your own goal).

When, where, how:

* When - does defending commence, transition, handover of possession (the will and team desire to defend).

* Where - does defending commence, any area of the pitch (game plan). First aggressive trigger and movement of the opposition.

* How - does defending commence (areas and circumstances?).

- Triggered by first defender.

- Ball surrendered.

- Circumstances of possession lost.

- Ball intercepted - we recover - urgency.

- Ball out of play - pressure - outnumbered - withdraw.

Phase of play III

Start position - Attacking defender (yellow) has a free kick just outside the box. Attackers are positioned with 1 to take the free kick, 1 defending and the rest scattered in and around the area.

Defensive play (coached) - Defence to start with a 3 man wall and the rest (bar the striker) to position themselves in a way where all attackers are covered or part covered. Defending striker should look to hold a position where are can cover in that final third to avoid the attackers bringing another man forward.

On the coaches instruction, the defending yellow must make himself available for the ball bay making a forward run. Upon receiving the ball, the defending team should look to get compactness, ballance and try to regain control.

Player movement:

* Closest defender must pressure the attacker quickly whilst not "selling themselves."

* Good technique is essential; travel as the ball travels, then slow on approach with the correct stance.

* Defenders first thought is to deny the attacker a clear shooting chance on goal.

* Effective communication from supporting defenders is needed to guise the pressuring defender.

* Effective communication is required from the GK as he can see the whole picture.

* The defenside line must shift accross during play to compact the area, whilst keeping an eye on other attackers should a successful through ball be played.

* Defending midfielder to press and recover in line with the ball to provide balance for the defending team.

* Upon winning the ball back, defending team to pass the ball back to the attacking central midfielder to start the function again.

Key technical aspects:

* Delay/pressure - must be rapid, in this area the consequences are high.

* Support - supporting player also moves quickly, continually providing guidance.

* Compactness - defensive unit move to deny space to spoil the attackers progress.

* Balance - Midfield player to recover to provide balance to deny the parallel option.

* Control - make the play predictable; force the attackers backwards, wide or provoke a shot from long distance.

Other things to consider:

* Can defenders see both the attacker and the ball at all times?

* Could it be an idea for defenders to use reference points (eg. goal posts, 6 yard box) as to not to be dragged out to try and support?

* Are the players aware to scan and screen for switches of play?

* Speak to attacking central midfielder to dribble with the ball instead of passing (at the start point) to see how it effects play.

* Defending must start from the front (reds attacker). If they fail to win the ball, they can still put on pressure to limit the options of the man with the ball and could even make them try to make the pass quicker and make a mistake.

* The back 4 defenders must communicate and try to make play predictable, thus, making it easier for their team.

In Defence:

* Be on the front foot (ready to intercept).

* Cover and balance (for units behind the ball).

* Chack shoulders (for lateral cover and balance).

* Re-assess and make decisions.

* Tracking players (see the player see the ball - the defensive triangle).

* Recovery runs (get goal side for cover and balance).

* Drop and narrow (towards your own goal).

When, where, how:

* When - does defending commence, transition, handover of possession (the will and team desire to defend).

* Where - does defending commence, any area of the pitch (game plan).