Denying space to the opponent is vital for success!! Some teams choose to press and deny space in all areas of the pitch, whereas some teams prefer to emphasize certain areas to protect – such as wide areas, central areas; the emphasis may change from game to game, opponent to opponent, time of game etc. It is therefore important to coach players their roles and responsibilities in the various areas of the pitch under different game circumstances.
The following session’s main objective is ‘defensive compactness’ with an emphasis on protecting central areas of the pitch.
The Warmup phase places players in two different game scenarios; in a low-to-mid defensive block as well as a midfield defensive block.
The session progresses to include a possession activity, tactical progressions and finishes with an 11v11 game.
1.
Setup:
An 11v9 is organised as shown. Playing area utilised to replicate defending in a mid to low Block. Buildup team consists of Fullbacks + Central Midfield.L + R Midfield + 1 Striker.
Instructions:
TACTICAL WARMUP – DEFENDING IN A COMPACT BLOCK:
Play starts with Coach (C) each time with a pass to GK (A): Goalkeeper (A) must initiate the buildup with a pass to either Central Defender. Buildup team must circulate the ball with 2-touch play to allow the defensive team to shift.
Defensive team (Red) must stay organised and compact to deny penetration.
Coaching stoppages to correct positioning.
Time 6-8min
Phase 2: Move to a Midfield defensive block
1×6-8min
TOTAL = 2×6-8min
Coaching Points:
- Stay compact as starting point
- Team must shift as a unit – close all passing lanes
- Deny all vertical passes
- Vertical distance between Back-4 and Midfield line – 10-15m maximum
- Immediately apply pressure on ball if any penetration is attempted
2.
Setup:
An 11v9 is organised as shown. Playing area utilised to replicate defending in a mid to low Block. Buildup team consists of Fullbacks + Central Midfield.L + R Midfield + 1 Striker.
Instructions:
TACTICAL WARMUP – DEFENDING IN A COMPACT BLOCK (Midfield Area):
Goalkeeper (A) has now moved deeper into box; Central Defenders have dropped to allow opponent to defend from the midfield area. Play starts with Coach (C) each time with a pass to GK (A): Goalkeeper (A) must initiate the buildup with a pass to either Central Defender. Buildup team must circulate the ball with 2-touch play to allow the defensive team to shift.
Defensive team (Red) must stay organised and compact to deny penetration. Strikers must now co-ordinate to press / steer the opponent.
Coaching stoppages to correct positioning.
Time 6-8min
Phase 2: In Diagram – Midfield defensive block
1×6-8min
TOTAL = 2×6-8min
Coaching Points:
- Stay compact as starting point
- Team must shift as a unit – close all passing lanes
- Deny all vertical passes
- Vertical distance between Back-4 and Midfield line – 10-15m maximum
- Immediately apply pressure on ball if any penetration is attempted
- Goalkeepers continually communicating.
- Gradually increase rhythm / intensity as players warmup
3.
Setup:
Two Groups of 5 players in position + 1 ‘Neutral’ player; Neutral Player is a Central Midfield player (#6).
Pitch is divided in two (coned line).
Instructions:
POSSESSION – EXT2: COMPACT DEFENCE:
Coach dictates starting of play each time with a pass to the Black team. Neutral (#6) plays for the DEFENDING team.
Black team attempts to buildup / maintain possession and score by penetrating the opponents end-line; if they switch the ball to the opposite side they have a 5v5 situation before the Neutral player can offer Defensive support.
Defensive team delay the attacks to allow Neutral player to travel to create a defensive numerical advantage (6v5).
Defensive Team (Red) score by winning possession and scoring in counter mini-goal.
2 x 6min : Rest 2-3min – Change Roles after 6min – allow RED to Buildup in Opponents half.
Change #6 Player each block to avoid fatigue of transitioning across.
Coaching Points:
- Stay compact; delay the attack, prevent penetration
- Immediate pressure on ball
- On winning possession look to transition / score in mini-goals immediately
4.
Setup:
Goalkeeper, Back-4 + 3 Central vs 8. Yellow (T) is a Target players for Defensive team.
Instructions:
DEFENSIVE ORGANISATION: CENTRAL COMPACTNESS:
Play starts with a pass from the Coach to any of the Attacking players (Black). Emphasis is on the Defensive unit (7 players + GK) denying penetration through central areas. Movements of the two Defensive Midfield players are coached to deny penetrating passes to Striker / Wingers moving between their lines.
If Defensive team wins possession they win 1 point by passing to the Target player (T).
At this stage – Fullbacks cannot attack / move in advance of wingers in wide areas.
**Rotate Back-4 / Midfielders after each 3-4 repetitions to avoid overload / fatigue for Defending group.
Progressions:
- Add Wide Midfield players for Defending team / Add Central Defenders for Attacking team / Allow Fullbacks to attack
- Add Striker for Defending Team + Counter Mini-Goals
FINAL PHASE:
1×8-10min game – 11v11 2/3 of pitch
TOTAL TACTICAL WORK – 35-45 min
*Stop/ start / coaching points included
Coaching Points:
- Defensive Compactness – Deny central areas
- When / where / how to press in various areas
- If opponent Wingers go wide don’t automatically follow – stay compact centrally – then go to press
- Wide Midfielders to support Fullbacks: when / where?