Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Mid Block Defence A Licence with Names (modified Nov 19th)

Warm Up Ballwork : 3 v 3 (15 mins) (15 mins)

7:45 - 8:00

Session Organisation: (Warm Up: Ballwork 15 mins)

12 players : = 4 groups of 3 

 (2x3=6 orange bibs, 2 x 3=6 yellow bibs)

1. Static exercise - 1st/2nd/3rd defender (5 mins only)

    - 3 on cones passing ball, 3 opposite react when ball is passed (passive exercise)

2. Dynamic exercise - 3 v 3 games (10 mins)

    - ball played in from centre, game ends with goal or ball out of play (goal played between 1 of the 3 sets of cones to a player

      behind the cones/goal)

    - players wait for their turn directly behind goals (this retrieves balls)

Coaching Points :

1. Positioning of all 3 defenders - 3 tasks = mark, cover, block channel to goal

2. Speed and body shape of pressing player

3. Reaction when Pressed attacker plays the ball (back & in, don't follow or take step towards ball)

4. All 3 defenders are connected and compact

Game Training (20 mins) (20 mins)

8:15 - 8:35

Session Organisation: Game Training (20 mins)

Full width field, 3/4 length.

Defending 4-4-2 block.

11 v 11.

1. Coach defending red team (orange bibs).

2. Ball starts with yellow GK.

3. Game ceases/recommences when ball out of play or goal scored. 

Coaching Points:

1. Team Focus

  Stay compact & connected, slide to prevent penetrating balls.

  Minimize space between lines and players horizontally & vertically (front/mid/backs/GK).

2. Player/Line Focus

   2.1 Front Players

         Front 2 (7 & 9) slide and force ball one way, try and prevent recycling by counter pressing. 11 drops back into mid block for a 

         4-4-2 defensive block.

   2.2 Midfield Players

         Slide - widest mid acts as 2nd defender to 7 & closes fullback if 7 can't get there (also blocks channel down line).

    Widest mid task is to act as 2nd defender to 7 & help block channel down wing. When played, drop back and in.

         Other mids all move across with 3 jobs - mark their player, provide cover for other mid's player, block passing lanes.  

        When defending in midfield, closest defender presses on ball, others tuck in to reduce space behind. When ball is played, mid             defender drops off and back.

         For mids focus on 1st,2nd,3rd defender, pressing by closest mid player, and 3 tasks (mark, cover, block channels) 

         Stay compact with front line to reduce space between lines.

   2.3 Back Players

         Focus on balance in defence, positioning to opponent with respect to location of ball.

         Keep compact with midfield, reduce space between lines.

         Watch furthest fullback positioning (often ball watching and not compact).         

2.4   GK

        Ensure GK is close enough to backline to stay compact.