Peter McDonnell, originally from Co. Mayo Ireland is now based in Orono, Maine, USA. He is currently an Assistant Coach with the University of Maine Women’s Soccer program combined with a youth coaching Director role at Seacoast United (Maine North). He has completed his USC National Diploma, and UEFA ‘A’ Coaching License. You can follow Peter via his website or on Twitter.
Breaking down a compact unit of defensive players can be a difficult task; it requires patience in possession and the ability to find and recognize the right areas and moments to attack. In extreme cases, certain opponents can decide to ‘pack it in’ or ‘park the bus’ making it even more difficult to create or find space to attack.
The following session / activities emphasize quick ball circulation and movement in order to move and disrupt the defensive block to create space to attack.
The activity encourages patience in possession through utilizing a zoned numbers-up area (7+GK v 5) – this allows the team in possession to keep the ball while probing for the correct moment to attack.
Transitions to Attack as well as Defend are encouraged within the session.
1.
Setup:
Pitch size to suit player quality and age. 1/4 of the pitch is a defensive zone with back 4 and 5 small goals or coned goals. Keeper plays in full size goal relative to age, and starts the game each time the ball goes dead. Players play 7+GK v 5 in 3/4 of the area.
Instructions:
Attacking team (Yellow), look to play from GK and score in one of the small goals. Disrupt the defensive blocks with various passes and movement off the ball. Defending team (Red), look to remain compact and win the ball back, transitioning to attacks and shots on goal.
Coaching Points:
- (Main Theme) Moving the ball at pace, means moving the defensive blocks
- Quality technique, consistently
- Early mobility to take advantage of the numbers up situation (8v5)
- Patience in possession – Find the right moments
- Play on the blind side of middle block to break down lines
- Quick actions as you approach the targets to score before back 4 can press and cover
2.
Setup:
Pitch size to suit player quality and age. 1/4 of the pitch is a defensive zone with back 4 and 5 small goals or coned goals.
Instructions:
Progression to transition to defending. Red players now become attackers and when they transition the ball they can commit defensive players to come out of the end zone and play in attacking thirds. Reds can commit as many or as few players as they want (coaches philosophy, parameters of desired outcome or player-led: risk vs reward education).
Coaching Points:
- Yellow’s Mentality – Immediate awareness of danger: How? Where? Who? Why?
- Decide if pressure is early on the ball, or units drop and compact
- GK, 4 and 5 – Voices clear and detailed
- Tuck in weak side defender and compact the pitch
- Patience and analysis – Don’t commit to risk
- Danger?
- How many bodies committed forward?
- Are we numbers up or down?
- Finally, defending is high reward – Our prize is a counter attack and attempts on goal – Discipline
3.
Setup:
Pitch size to suit player quality and age. 1/4 of the pitch is a defensive zone with back 4 and 5 small goals or coned goals.
Instructions:
Reds commit bodies forward to create 7v7+GK in attack. This leaves the wide defensive areas exposed to attack on transition.
Coaching Points:
- Yellow are patient and disciplined in defending
- Communication levels are high
- Defensive movements are as a unit
- Can we recognize the opportunities of defending together?
- Strong in challenges – That’s OUR BALL
- On transition what is our mentality? Look for defensive weakness!! Who? What? Where and How?
- Score goals and punish – Quick actions in attack