40 x 30 yard playing area, with 4 mini goals in each corner. 2 teams set up as attack (Blue) v defence (Yellow), with central area for possession to be played through (30×20). Objective is to work the 4 Yellows defensively in a diamond, against a Blue overload with 3 central and 2 wide players, creating a 5 v 4. Both teams able to score 1 touch in directional practice.
Attacking Emphasis30%30%
Defending Emphasis70%70%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Key Coaching Point | Forcing Direction
If Blues have ball in wide area, all Yellows must be on that side of the pitch. Defensive Shape.
Key Coaching Point 2 | Actions on Winning Possession
Diamond Yellows must now ensure they stop ball into ST, forcing play across and backwards. Compactness, which allows Yellows to regain and counter quickly or keep possession and build to finish.
Progression 1 | Add ST to Defend Against
Change formation to add a striker which forces defenders to rethink how they press and force direction in the defensive phase.
Progression 2 | Opposition Rotation
All Blues can now rotate inside and outside, creating a numerical advantage for Yellows to deal with
Key Coaching Points
As a defensive practice in the main, we must ensure the attacking quality is at the level it needs to be in order to work the defenders. Focus on the shape, to begin with and ensure both teams are applying standard attacking and defensive principles before developing additional points.
Space | Focus on space between players, ensuring gaps are at a minimum in central areas, develop players ability to slide and press quickly in relation to the movement of the ball
Time | Set time objectives to remain compact and not allow them a shot on goal in 15 seconds for example. Could develop counter if need be (score in 6 seconds)
Equipment | Ensure balls provided quickly to maintain the tempo of practice. Balls in goals so when they score they have 3 seconds to start from own end, if they don’t goal get’s chalked off. TEMPO
Players | Develop individual ability by focusing on 2-3 players throughout.
Pre-plan defenders to develop, maybe midfield 4 diamond pressure or 2 CBs organising in front and set individual objectives
Advanced | We can clearly focus on many aspects of this Attack v Defence game, with an ability to also develop transition for defending the team, yet try to focus on a specific aspect, i.e. Diamond movement out of possession. It becomes easy to sway off topic, so try to stay focused, whilst maintaining challenge from opposition doing the right things to test players.
Player Focus
Shape Understanding | Defensive Shape | Compactness | Slide Across | Communication
This 4 v 4 Practice + floaters can be worked to on penetration passing and defensive compactness. Decide on your focus, maybe one coach with one group and other with opposition, rotating players throughout.
Progression 1
Progression 2
Key Coaching Points
Q&A
Where is the best position to support my teammate?
How can I bring my teammates into play better?
Who are defenders staying with when overloaded? What does this mean?
20 x 20 yard for younger age groups, increasing in size with age increase no bigger than 30 x 30. Four players to keep possession on outside of square with two Floaters either end & 1-2 placed centrally, with four Yellows central trying to regain possession. When possession regained Yellows move to outside, Blues become central defending players.
Progression 1
Once defenders have gained possession, then now become outside players and switch play.
Progression 2
1 player can step inside off the line, encouraging outside floater to find angles.
Progression 3
Central Floater can rotate with outside floater to encourage fluid movement.
Progression 4
Central Floater can rotate with outside floater to encourage fluid movement.
Progression 5
Central Floater can rotate with outside floater to encourage fluid movement.
Key Coaching Points
Players love this possession practice, yet must be disciplined to ensure practice runs smoothly. Once possession lost, there is no immediate regain, players must get to the inside and regain team must move to outside before possession contested.
SPACE | Ensure practice area is appropriate for age group, may need to add 5 yard outside zone for younger players
TIME | Players have 2 seconds in transition to get inside and outside, change groups every 2-3 minutes, go through groups twice.
EQUIPMENT | Need to have a supply of balls with transition regular. 2/3 sets of bibs (4) and flat discs to ensure minimum disruption to session. Ability to finish chances.
PLAYER | May want to designate Floater players as those identified as needing to improve in possession. Be creative with numbers 5 v 5 + 2 Floaters?
Q&A
Where is the best position to support my teammate?
How can I bring my teammates into play better?
Who are defenders staying with when overloaded? What does this mean?
