Problem v problem

This session is all about solving problems as a defending team. We are looking for players to stay compact, to be aware of their opponents’ positioning and movement, and to prevent attacking moves by closing down runners and space. We want controlled aggression from our defenders as they get to the ball first.

“We’re looking to solve problems as a defending team”

AGAINST-THE-ODDS DEFENDING

Here we are staying compact - there are 35 yards between the striker and the last defender. The nearest player should be pressing on the ball while their team-mates adjust, and look to prevent penetrative passes through the middle. The defending blue team looks to track runners, cut off passing channels and stop forward play, defending the goalscoring zones with controlled aggression [1a].

[1a]

1. Play starts with the red goalkeeper every time

2. Blue team defend goalscoring zones with controlled aggression

The defenders should also be thinking about their clearances; we need big headers, a slow leg to a fast ball, and a fast leg to a slow ball. Wing backs should not be outside the line of the ball in the channel.

We run this exercise all in touches, with the blue team looking to score in the mini goals or the large goal past the goalkeeper [1b].

[1b]

1. Blue team look to score in mini goals or large goal past the goalkeeper

“The blue team are looking to score in the mini goals or past the keeper”

The red team will be subject to offsides as normal (the blue team will not because they are in their own half). Play restarts with the red goalkeeper every time, with players returning to their starting positions. 

We can progress this by moving the striker channel-side, and encouraging the wing backs to be bold when in good, comfortable possession.

CLUTCH DEFENDING

Moving on from this, with all the same principles in place, we try out some clutch defending. If the coach blows their whistle, the player in possession must roll the ball off the pitch, and play resumes on the coach’s call of a coloured cone. At first, only the attacking team can take the ball off the cone (you can progress this by allowing both teams to do so). The blue team score by putting their foot on the ball in the “line ball goal zone” [2].

[2]

1. If the coach blows their whistle, the player in possession must roll the ball off the pitch

2. Play resumes on coach’s call of a coloured cone
3. Blue team score by putting foot on ball in “line ball goal zone”

“Play resumes on the coach’s call of a coloured cone”

The red team are again subject to offsides as normal (not for blues as they are in their own half). Restarts are when the coach calls out a coloured cone, or the coach moves the ball into a different area.