Football: midfield defending

midfield defending DRILLS
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midfield defending ANSWERS
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Please recommend phase plays for midfield area

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts. I would like 2 drills or phase plays for 1.midfield defending in front 1/3 2. And middle 1/3

Archived User Coach

defending the long ball

defending the long ball

Archived User Coach

Midfield cannot / will not win the ball ?

My team has just moved up to youth football 11 aside. Our defence is solid and our forwards skillfull and quick but we seem unable to win the ball in midfield. Our midfielders watch what is happening hoping the opposition midfielder will mess up, rather than attacking the ball. Encouragement from the sidelines does not seem to help. Can you suggest some training drills.

Archived User Coach

Coaching the defences at attack from flanks?

Any suggestions for coaching the defences at attack from flanks?

Away Ng Coach, Hong Kong

How can i fix this?

My senior lads, have the best ability and understand the basics of team play in training, but on the pitch they panic and try to get the ball to strikers as quick as they can. This stops our midfield attacking. we only play a 4-5-1 so we should be strong in the midfield but they just seem to be defending all the time. How can i fix this?

Archived User Coach

What's the best way to teach players about positioning?

I am coaching 11 7 to 8 year olds what is the best way to teach them about positioning

mark davies Coach, England

Defending the through ball

How can we defend the through ball from a faster team?

Archived User Coach

Long Ball Defending for U11s Help

I run a U11 team that is reasonably successful and plays with confidence and spends a lot of the time on the front foot. However we seem to get caught week after week by the simple long ball over the top and would welcome some tips/drills to help the lads improve this part (it's driving me mad!). Thanks in advance.

Ian Coach, England

Defending again fast breaks

I've got a team of young women (12-13 year old) several of whom only played last season for the first time.Our first season last year was pretty good given they're young inexperienced and we rarely had subs. One area that always gets us is fast strikers getting in and behind our defense from quite a way up the field–75% of our goals are conceded that way.So any thoughts on training the team to not allow so many of these goals? TIA!

John Allsopp Coach, Australia

Attacking and recovering with ...

When my team attacks the near the opposing teams 18 box, we always seem to give the ball away to the other team and my midfield is never covered adequately. What is the best way to balance trying to attack but still maintaining shape from a defensive standpoint?

Hunter Williams Coach, United States of America

How to encourage position disc...

I have a fantastic group of U12's (9 a side), who I encourage to play with the ball on the floor, quick passing football. We are a very attacking minded team, but that is our weakness - we need to remember that we do not have 8 strikers.Does anybody have any drills or tips for making sure that midfielders remember midfield?

Archived User Coach

How do you play a 4-2-3-1 form...

wish to change my team shape has been said best formation to understand is a 4231 shape

Archived User Coach

How can I improve defensive sh...

With my U16 team, I often like to use high presses throughout matches and have scored a number of goals as a result. The problem is, often the triggers are only recognised by a few of the players, leading to a failed press. Obviously I will have to work with them on recognising press triggers, however how can I help improve the overall team shape after a press has failed? For example, say 3 players; a left midfielder, centre midfielder and centre forward in a 4-3-3 have attempted a press in the opposition's right back position. The press has failed and now the team is 3 players short and facing a counter attack.

Ben Lowry Coach, England

Moving from 7v7 to 9v9 | Sport...

Hi has anyone got any advice on drills to help with the transition of 7v7 to 9v9 ? also what are your preferred formations please ? thanks

Mathew Coach, England

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