Successful teams must understand various defensive strategies that can implemented within a game; the how, why, what + when of each scenario must be coached repetitively in game-like activities to develop a solid understanding of each players role and responsibilities.
The activities and progressions in Defensive Organisation Strategies cover three different scenarios:
- Midfield Pressing
- Fore-Checking (high/full press)
- Defending in a Low Block of 8
Coaches can choose to implement one or all of the strategies depending on the game at hand.
1.
Set up:
An 8v8 (plus 1 GK) is organised as shown. Playing area utilised to replicate midfield pressing. Team (A) consists of a back-4 + Midfield 4. Team (B) plays without Central Defenders.
Instructions:
TACTICAL GAME – PRESSING + FAST TRANSITION TO ATTACK:
Play starts with GK (A) each time. Defensive team (B) must stay organised and compact in the midfield area and wait for cues to press and win possession. On winning possession, look to play quickly in front.
1 x 8 minutes
Coaching Points:
- Strikers stay centrally – allow opponent C Defenders to maintain possession deep in their zone
- Stay compact – close vertical passing lanes
- R+L Midfield players stay inside to deny central / vertical passes
- On winning possession – immediately transition to attack
2.
Set up:
An 8v8 (plus 1 GK) is organised as shown. Playing area utilised to replicate midfield pressing / high pressing. Team (A) consists of a back-4 + Midfield 4. Team (B) plays without Central Defenders.
Instructions:
TACTICAL GAME – HIGH-PRESS (Forechecking) + FAST TRANSITION TO ATTACK:
Play starts with GK (A) each time. Defensive team (B) must stay organised and compact – Strikers must allow enough space to encourage GK to pass to either his Central Defenders or Fullbacks. On any pass from GK, Team (B) commits to a full-press. On winning possession, look to play quickly in front.
1 x 6 minutes
Coaching Points:
- Strikers stay centrally – allow Central Defenders enough space to enocurage them to receive pass from GK
- Immediate high-press as a group
- Strikers press Central Defenders and any backpass to GK; R+L Midfielders press Fullbacks
- On winning possession – immediately transition to attack.
3.
Set up:
An 8v8 (plus 1 GK) is organised as shown. Playing area utilised to replicate defending in a low Block-of-8. Team (A) consists of Fullbacks + Midfield 4 + 2 Strikers. Team (B) plays without Central Strikers.
Instructions:
TACTICAL GAME – DEFENDING IN A LOW BLOCK OF 8 + FAST TRANSITION TO ATTACK:
Play starts with Coach (C) each time. Defensive team (B) must stay organised and compact in a low block to deny penetration. On winning possession, look to play quickly in front.
1 x 6-8 minutes
Coaching Points:
- Stay compact as a starting point
- Team must shift as a unit – close all passing lanes
- Deny all vertical passes
- Vertical distance between Back-4 and Midfield line – 10-15 minutes maximum
- Immediately apply pressure on ball if any penetration is attempted
- On winning possession – immediately transition to attack