Oceano Andrade da Cruz known simply as ‘Oceano’, is the current assistant manager of the Colombian National Team under Carlos Queiroz. Prior to this position, he worked alongside Manager Carlos Queiroz to help guide Iran to successive World Cup appearances; Brazil 2014 as well as impressive performances at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

He is a former coach of Portugal U21 National team, Sporting ‘B’ and had a brief stint as 1st team Manager of Sporting in 2012.

During his highly impressive playing career he was a defensive midfielder with tremendous physical strength and leadership skills. He represented Portugal 54 times and played over 400 games for Sporting (Lisbon) over an 11-year period; he was widely regarded as the best footballer ever hailing from Cape Verde.

Improve Your Defensive Abilities

The following activities are shared by Oceano as two of his ‘favorites’ – one is a ‘warm-up’ activity that encourages defensive transitions within a simple 5v2 format; the 2nd activity teaches compactness and cohesion within a group of 4 players (could be Back-4 or Midfield-4).  Both are fast paced activities that allow multiple repetitions for each player / group.

Insert these activities into your training sessions where appropriate.

Oceano da Cruz: Favorite Activities

1. Possession with Transitions

Setup:

Three groups / grids of 5v2 / 6v2 are organised as shown. Grids can be set up anywhere from 5m apart to 20m apart depending on demand required of players.

Instructions:

Two grids play 5v2; on any error, the player making the error + 1 additional player must run to the grid with 5 players – they then act as Defenders in that grid. This means that 2 grids are always playing 5v2 while the third grid is circulating the ball but maintaining awareness of oncoming defenders.
Defenders are encouraged to move rapidly to apply pressure in next grid.

*Vary the distances between each grid to increase / decrease the physical demand.

Coaching Points:

• Possession – quick ball circulation and movement
• Defenders:
  • Work as a pair to force errors
• On Transition:
  • On any error – immediately think ‘defend’ and find the open grid
  • Develop the habit of quick transitions

2. Defensive Pressure + Compactness: Phase 1

Setup:

Three groups of 4 players organised as shown. One team (Black) is designated the ‘Defensive’ team and positioned in the central (shaded) area.

Instructions:

Objective is for teams in end zones (Red + Green) to maintain possession and play penetrating passes through the central zone. Defenders in central zone must work together as a cohesive group o4 4 to prevent an gaps appearing in their line.

Phase 1: Defenders screen the opponent and do not leave the central area; they remain compact laterally to deny passing channels. Possession teams must move the ball with one or two-touch play

Phase 2: Defenders must go to ‘Press’ the man on the ball while teammates provide cover / balance. As ball shifts the man applying pressure must change.
1min-1:30 game then change defensive group

Coaching Points:

• Defenders:
  • Stay compact: deny passing lanes
  • Communication – verbal + non-verbal
  • Angles of support / Distance of support
  • Phase 2: Speed / angle of pressure on ball
  • As ball shifts players must move in and out of their line to apply pressure

3. Defensive Pressure + Compactness: Phase 2

Setup:

Three groups of 4 players organised as shown. One team (Black) is designated the ‘Defensive’ team and positioned in the central (shaded) area.

Instructions:

Objective is for teams in end zones (Red + Green) to maintain possession and play penetrating passes through the central zone. Defenders in central zone must work together as a cohesive group o4 4 to prevent an gaps appearing in their line.

Phase 1: Defenders screen the opponent and do not leave the central area; they remain compact laterally to deny passing channels. Possession teams must move the ball with one or two-touch play

Phase 2: Defenders must go to ‘Press’ the man on the ball while teammates provide cover / balance. As ball shifts the man applying pressure must change.
1min-1:30 game then change defensive group

Coaching Points:

• Defenders:
  • Stay compact: deny passing lanes
  • Communication – verbal + non-verbal
  • Angles of support / Distance of support
  • Phase 2: Speed / angle of pressure on ball
  • As ball shifts players must move in and out of their line to apply pressure