This trainings focus is first to teach our back four and more defensive midfielders their roles against a team structured to play with width and get in behind the fullbacks. I have set up the offensive (red) team in a standard 433 formation with an attacking diamond. The instruction for this team is to look to draw out the defensive (blue) team opening up space in behind to push their red wingers into. Our aim here is to teach particularly our fullbacks to contain and not dive in against these wingers. Their job will be considered effective if they are able to stop the winger from advancing eg 1v1 or alternatively force the winger to play backwards to his midfield. Our central defenders will organise their team mates ensuring that one of them is always a free man while ensuring that our midfielders are tracking the opponents run. Importantly our other fullback must learn to position his or her body so that at all times they are able to see both the ball and their direct opponent. When correctly positioned they will then be able to provide cover for our central defenders while also still being in a position to cut out switches of play from the opposite wing. There is hidden learning for both teams in this excercise. Defenders should be learning to communicate better while also improving body position, once again always being able to see the ball and their own man. For the attacking team they are learning to be patient with the ball, continually playing until an opposition defender does not track his runner or dives in creating space behind.
To begin with the object of the game will be for the attacking team to get a winger in behind the defence and get a cross into the box. If they are able to get a delivery into the box that will be considered a goal. Our defenders alternatively will have the option to move the ball quickly from defence before scoring in one of the two goals positioned in a wide area. Defenders should be made aware that their first job is to defend and to avoid taking risks when in possession. The ball should always start with the red teams deepest midfielder/coach if there are not enough players. Initially it may be important for the coach to stop the game to explain correct positioning and body shape to their defenders. Once players have a grasp of the concept of the session they may then be allowed to play more freely so long as all players are not neglecting their defensive roles.
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
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