Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending in the final third

Warm- Up (15 mins)

Defending as a unit: pressing in the final third



Set-Up

15 mins

16 x 8 area

Coach plays the ball to either a blue or green player, as the player out of possession then presses the attacker in a 1v1 situation.

The defender attempts to prevent the attacker from playing forwards and scoring in the small goal. If the defender regains possession they become the attacker and attempt to score in the opposite small goal, as the roles are reversed in the 1v1.

If the ball goes out of play, the Coach feeds in another ball, but the ball may not always be played to the same player; the Coach will decide which player to play the next ball to. Repeat for 2-3 balls then rotates players.

Key Coaching Points

Controlled Approach

• Encourage players to press the ball quickly, with a controlled approach, and slow down as they approach the attacker, being careful not to dive in. Once pressure is applied don't move backward.

• The defender should be up close and touch tight to the player in possession, preventing them from playing the ball around them. The pressing player adopts a half-turned body position so they can react quickly to changes of direction from the attacker.

• Coach your players to block the forward passing/dribbling options and don't be beaten! If the defender has the attacker facing their own goal prevent them turning.

Conditioned SSG (15 mins)

Defending as a unit: pressing in the final third

Set-Up

20 mins
14 players
60x35 area

2 x teams of 5 + Sweeper for each team (SW) who must stay in the defensive third and is limited to 3 touches. All other players are free to play in all thirds of the pitch and are partnered with an opposition player and can only tackle this player.

Make more challenging:

• Remove restrictions on player movements

Key Coaching Points

Read the triggers & cues

• Working individually and as a unit, the pressing triggers have to be when the opposition plays a loose pass or takes a poor first touch. The unit can work together to set traps in order to press.

• If the player in possession is not under pressure it is important that the defensive unit drops off and tucks in to compact the space.

  
  Defending goal side or on the shoulder
  
  

• If the player in possession is not being pressed then the defending team can drop off and defend the goal side. If there is pressure on the ball, the defenders should be on the shoulder of the attackers looking to see if they can get in front and win the ball.