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Offsides 9v9

My team have conceded 18 goals in 3 games and they have all been the same kind of goals. We always try and get the back 3 upto the halfway line when attacking which mean naturally my midfielders are further up the pitch. Here lies the problem, when we lose possession we are simply not quick enough at getting back, a long ball over the top or some quick play we seem to be overloaded and concede quickly, iv tried getting my goalkeeper starting position improved to cut out the long ball but he's not confident doing that. Should I abandon the need to get to the halfway line as quick as possible and maybe drop 15 yards leaving less space behind. In possession we are a good team but out of possession we have become easy to score against. I as a coach need to be more vocal during games and possibly do a bit more in-game coaching as iv always believed it's best to give instruction and challenges before games and at half time. Any advice would be appreciated

Rob LittleCoach, England

1 answer

ANSWERS

Matt MorrisonPlayer, England

Hi Rob,

I would recommend reducing the space in behind your defence. That could be sitting deeper as a defensive line when you haven`t got the ball, especially if you don`t have quick defenders, that means that the strikers will have to play in front of them. You can practice this in training by getting your defenders to hold a line together and not allowing them to go past a certain point up the field.

With your team being good in possession they should be able to easily connect defence to midfield even when starting deeper with the ball.

Matt