Desire to defend at all costs

This session focuses on defending the box through repetitive attacking waves. During the session, players will get plenty of opportunity to defend in 1v1 and 2v1 scenarios, emergency last-ditch defending, working as a unit, delaying, blocking, covering as well as working on communication and group cohesion. 

As well as tapping in to the technical, tactical, social and psychological aspect of the game, this session will be a real physical blast for the players.

This session can be used in multiple ways and can be tailored depending on your sessions or team’s needs. Defending the box is the primary goal on this occasion for this session, but it can also be used for attacking in and around the box, combination play, counter-pressing, counter-attacking, and sustained possession under high pressure - just some of the outcomes you can get from this session by changing the emphasis of the drill.

Due to its multiple outcomes and benefits, this is a session that I would use on a weekly basis depending on the team’s needs during that week. I tend to use this session during a working day, where you want to work the players physically or psychologically.

We set up on a pitch space slightly bigger than the penalty area - from the edge of the box up to 10 yards outside the box. The players are split into three groups of five (it can also be done in three groups of four, or three groups of six). The blue team defends for a certain period of time (in the initial example, two minutes) and tries to concede as few goals as possible. The red team attacks the full size goal and tries to score as many goals as possible [1a]. The yellow team are bounce players but can also be tackled; they play two touch and can put in crosses and passes to the box, and can also be offside.

[1a]

1. Coach serves ball

2. Red team attacks full size goal and tries to score

If the blue team wins the ball, they keep possession against the reds, 5v5. They can try to score in the mini goals [1b], and for every two goals they score in the mini goal, one is taken away from the goals they concede.

The coach serves the ball to the attacking (red) team each time the ball goes out of play.

The team at the end with the fewest goals wins the practice.

We run this for 3x2mins; each team is rotated for each round and has the opportunity to defend the goal, be a floater, and attack the goal.

You can progress this by implementing scenarios such as one team starting with a one-goal lead and having to defend it for a certain period of time (4 minutes winning 2-0, 3 minutes winning 1-0). The emphasis of the practice can also be changed to attacking in and around the box, combination play, counter-pressing, counter-attacking, and sustained possession under high pressure. It can also lead well to a small-sided game with a halfway line rule, where teams are encouraged to sustain attacks in the opposition half.

[1b]

1. Coach serves ball

2. Blue team wins ball and keeps possession

3. Blue team scores in mini goal

COACHING POINTS

What are the key things to look out for technically and tactically?

In terms of defending, look out for: defending in 1v1 and 2v1 scenarios; emergency last-ditch defending; working as a unit; delaying; blocking; pressure; covering; balance; communication; and group cohesion.

What are the typical mistakes that players might make, and how do you avoid them?

Typical mistakes might be: the floating players not getting involved when the ball is turned over, and the practices become 5v5. The floating players are not allowed to block the mini goals; offsides apply for them too.