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This is one to adapt to the numbers you are allowed to use at training. It is all about blocking passing lanes when attackers are trying to play through balls to get behind the defence.
Set up
Set up a box 30 yds wide by 20 yds deep, 4 lines of offense on each end, groups of 4 defenders coming into the box at a time. Or in the UK we will use 2-1-2.
How to play it
The two sets of 4 keeping possession must stay in their four spots outside the box on each side – they score a point if they can pass to any of the 4 on the other side under head height (not over the top). The 4 defending players must move as a unit to get pressure on the ball and cover behind the ball so that a pass on the ground cannot get to the other side. Switch to a new defensive unit after 2 minutes.
Technique
Shape of the back 4 – you can adjust the individual pieces the way you want to set them, but focus on their shape and shifts and their depth from one another.
1. Passes must be under head height when teams are trying to split the four defenders2. Focus should be on the shape of the central four players how they set up to block through passes3. Anticipation of the pass is key to blocking passing routes.
Anticipate the ball being played through the lines and intercept passes by blocking passing routes. Players will also need to be able to tackle and win the ball MORE
Teams can turn up and launch long balls behind your defenders. This game will get players watching for, and reacting to, the danger of the long ball. MORE
Use this session to teach players to press opponents high up the pitch – so they can win the ball nearer to the goal. By pressing quickly and working together, attackers will win the ball back nearer the opponent’s goal and have a greater chance of scoring.
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This session replicates situations where midfielders can find themselves outnumbered and a timely tackle is needed to stop the move in its tracks. MORE
The defending team is coached how to get into formation in a match when they have lost the ball and how to quickly assemble a zonal defence. After using our first session, run this and allow players to make decisions on where to defend at the corner. MORE
Play this like a Rondo where if you split the defenders and hit the cone keeping possession of the ball. The pressing team must try to win the ball and prevent the possession team hitting the cone. MORE