Defending As A Team Practice

Defending in the opponent's half - split into three zones. 6v6. ATTACKING TEAM to start with ball in their defensive half. Primary aim - to pass into ZONE and retain possession in this zone. Attacking team scoring system - Once in ZONE 1, a successful pass = 1 goal, 2 passes = 2 goals, 3 passes = 3 goals. Maximum 3 goals. Team can then reset by playing back to the GK in ZONE 3 and attempting to play forward again. DEFENDING TEAM to start without the ball in their attacking half. Primary aim - to prevent passes into ZONE 1 by using INTENSITY (club identity) without the ball throughout. If opponents enter ZONE 1, quick reactions and recoveries are required to prevent passes being made in this zone (and therefore goals being scored). Secondary aim - to win the ball as high as possible, giving themselves the best possible chance of creating goal-scoring opportunities directly after regaining the ball. Team has 15 seconds to score a goal in transitions to attack. Play will reset with the attacking team in a variety of areas of the pitch. Defending team scoring system - Win ball in ZONE 1 and score = 1 goal. Win ball in ZONE 2 and score = 2 goals. Win ball in ZONE 3 and score = 3 goals. - The higher up the pitch possession is won, the more valuable goals scored are. KEY POINTS: Team must be intelligent with their decisions to balance risk/reward when creating out of possession overloads - Press as a unit in opportunistic moments with commitment and intensity (triggers e.g. backwards pass, poor touch etc to engage first player. Can you set a trap to win the ball?) - Maintain a compact shape (vertically and horizontally to deny space between the lines) - Quick reactions in transitional moments (fast and intense recoveries if played through, around or over successfully/fast and intense attacking runs after regaining possession)