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Area | Two thirds of pitch |
Equipment | Balls, bibs, cones, 1 full size goal |
No. of Players | 9 players + 1 goalkeeper |
Session Time | Transition game: 22mins |
This training session is a based around a 4v2 possession scenario that progresses into a 5v4 overloaded transition for the defenders.
This activity focuses on the defenders and their decision making, both in and out of possession. The out-of-possession emergency defending is the key part of the session and it successfully recreates scenarios they would face on a match day when overloaded.
The session also encourages 1v1 defending and defenders are asked to defend fast/slow/side/low.
I like this session because I think transitioning from a possession situation into a live game gives the players realistic game outcomes.
This session really stretches the players in terms of their decision making and encourages them to make good decisions in chaotic situations. It’s a high intensity session and the attacking players are encouraged to transition or counter-attack at pace, hence using a time pressure to score.
When the defenders are in possession, this session encourages them to value keeping the ball and to focus on not becoming complacent in a 4v2 scenario where the area size is also in their favour.
This session would typically be run on a match day -4 or match day -3, where it would be modified slightly, with the possession area closer to goal.
“This training session really stretches the players in terms of their decision making and encourages them to make good decisions in chaotic situations”
We set up on a two thirds of a pitch with a 12-yard square marked out on one side of the centre line and with a goal and a goalkeeper positioned at one end,
as shown.
We’re using nine outfield player. The blue defending team is made up of a goalkeeper, a right back, a centre back, a left back and a centre midfielder. The blue outfield players are positioned around the square in their pitch positions, with the left back on the left of the square and the right back on the right.
The red attacking team is made up of two strikers who start inside the square, making it a 4v2 in the square, plus a right winger, a centre midfielder and a left winger, who start in position next to the appropriate cones.
The blues start with the ball – they are limited to two touches and they score a point by making eight consecutive passes around the square, while the reds press and try to win possession, as shown [1a].
If the red team succeeds in winning the ball – or if a blue player takes more than two touches – then a transition occurs and the game becomes a 5v4 in favour of the reds, with all of the reds looking to counter-attack quickly. If they win the ball, they have eight seconds to score in the goal while the blue team transition to defend against the counter-attack. The blues should make quick recovery runs to try to stop the reds scoring, as shown [1b].
“If the reds win the ball, they have eight seconds to score in the goal while the blue team transition to defend against the counter-attack.
Once the ball is dead, the practice resets, restarting with a 4v2 in the square again.
This activity is played in four blocks of four minutes with two minutes of rest between each of the blocks.
If the red team are struggling to regain possession, the coach can stimulate a counter-attack by playing a starting ball directly into one of the three outside reds and the red team then launch a counter-attack on the coach’s whistle, as shown [1c].
The blue defenders would make recovery runs to stop the attack.
What are the key things to look out for?
When the blues are in possession we want to see composure on the ball. They should use good ball speed when passing and should use the correct angles to receive.
On losing possession we want to see the blues making quick recovery runs to defend and they should be sprinting to make up ground if the ball is past them. As a priority they should be protecting the middle of the goal to force the reds to go around them rather than through them. It’s also important for the blues to be aware of what’s going on around them when emergency defending, so communication with team mates is vital.
When the reds win the ball, we want to see them quickly securing possession by passing it wide to one of the wingers if possible or back to the centre midfielder. They should also use their 5v4 overload to their advantage by making overlapping or underlapping runs in support of the attack.
What are the typical mistakes players might make and how do I avoid them?
When in possession defenders are sometimes careless and switch off, failing to successfully connect to receive the ball when a team mate is under pressure.
When out of possession after losing the ball, defenders don’t always get back into shape quickly enough and fail to defend the width of the goal by connecting as a unit.
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