Solid defending

This is a session that I use with the first team squad. I use it to create a positive mindset to defending – I find it makes teams hard to beat and teaches players not to concede cheap goals.

It makes for an enjoyable and competitive session and it is played at match intensity because the three teams are competing to win in each of the five practices.

The players work hard physically and also work hard on the tactical and technical aspects of the session.

I have used 24 players here, but I have also used the same session with 18 or 21 players.

What do I get the players to do?

Practice 1

We set up on half a pitch, with the playing area marked out between the 18-yard line and the halfway line, and with a centre zone down the middle of the area, as shown [1].

1

We’re using 24 players split into three teams of eight, with a team at each end and one team in the centre zone.

One of the end teams starts with the ball and four players from the centre can go into that end zone to press.

The possession team make eight passes before trying to transfer the ball to the opposite end zone. They score one point for making eight passes.

The pressers try to win possession and score one point if they get hold of the ball and clear it out of the area.

Play for 20 minutes, rotating teams every two minutes.

How do I progress the session?

Practice 2

To progress Practice 1, extend the playing area so it now covers half the pitch and remove the centre zone. The two end teams must now work together to keep possession under pressure from the pressing team, making it a 16v8 game. If the pressers win the ball, they must clear it out of the area, as shown [2].

2

Play for 20 minutes and rotate teams every two minutes. Keep score so you know which team wins the ball back the most when acting as pressers.

Make sure the pressers defend as a team and encourage them to use good communication. They should be displaying a positive and committed attitude to defending.

What do I get the players to do next?

Practice 3

We set up on half a pitch, with a goal and a goalkeeper at one end, as shown [3]. We’re using 24 outfield players, split into three teams of eight. One team defends and the other two take turns to attack – allow each team three attacks before rotating teams and make sure everyone has a turn to defend.

3

Teams must try not to concede from open play. The offside rule applies so make sure players play to the whistle. This will make it very match realistic.

What are the key things to look out for?

In Practice 3 we want to see defenders staying on their feet and delaying the attacking team. We also want to see good communication used by the defenders, so units can work together to break up attacks.

Defenders should try to make attacking play predictable by forcing opponents to make backwards or square passes. Players should also be prepared to make recovery runs to get back behind the ball when defending.

We want the defenders to display a positive attitude and to see they are committed to the idea that they aren’t going to concede any goals.

What do I get the players to do next?

Practice 4

Using the same set-up as before, this activity is used to practise defending against corners and free-kicks. We’re using three teams of eight plus a keeper, with one team defending, one team attacking the goal, and the third team waiting as deeper attackers who can recycle any clearances.

Teams each take turns to defend against three corners from the left and three corners from the right, taken from positions A1, as shown [4]. They then defend three free-kicks from the left and another three from the right, taken from positions A2.

4

The deep attackers can create second phase defending opportunities by keeping the ball in play and extending the action, but we limit this team to two touches between them to get the ball back into the penalty area. Play for 20 minutes.

The offside rule applies.

What are the key things to look out for?

In Practice 4 we want to see the defenders firmly attacking the ball to clear it to safety, but concentration is vital to avoid the danger of second and third phase attacks.

Defenders must also show they are alert to blocking shots and can react to cover short corners or any dangerous improvisation by the attackers.

As a by-product of this defensive practice, we find attacking teams show good movement, creativity and improvisation in attempting to score.

How would you put this into a game situation?

Practice 5

We set up on half a pitch with a goal and a goalkeeper at each end. We’re using 24 outfield players divided into three teams of eight. Two teams play 8v8 plus goalkeepers in the main area and the third team are positioned around the outside to help the team in possession, as shown [5]. The outside players are limited to two touches.

5

We play a round robin competition between the teams and keep a note of the scores. We allow just a few seconds between games for players to organise themselves.

We can progress the practice by making it ‘winner stays on’. This adds fitness to the game and shows how players respond when they have been on the pitch for longer than the opposition and must make decisions based on this added pressure.