Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending Mid-Block

8v9 Prog/Preventing Prog. Phase of Play

Organisation:

• Red #3/4 start with possession and are looking to play it into red #8/9/10 in the marked scoring zone.
• If they play it through, it is worth 1 point, if 8/9/10 can combine to finish on goal it is worth another 2 point.
• Red #6 Can move freely inside the middle zone. Red #8/9/10 are locked in the finishing zone until they receive the ball.
• The red centre-backs can move inside but may be pressed and dispossessed if they do so.
• Red #2/5 full-backs can move up to the dotted white line. 
• Blue defending team look to preventing the red team playing forward and, if possible counter attack and score in the mini-goals behind the blue defenders.

Attacking KP's:

• Quality Passing (& Disguise)
• Movement/Support
• Forward options
• Communication

Defending KP's: 

• Pressing (who, how, when)
• Cover & Balance when 1 player pressing
• Little space between defenders.
• Compact (Vertically & Horizontally)
• Shifting/moving as a unit
• Communication

Transition KP's: 

• Quick reaction to transition
• Can we pass forward/score quickly (attack)
• Can we regroup quickly (defence)

Questions: 

• Who presses (in variety of situations, depending who has the ball) and why etc.