Tactical Sessions for Elite Teams

Tactical Sessions for Elite Teams

OVERLAPPING SHADOW PLAY IN AN 11 v 11

1. This is a progressive build up session starting with the coach working with the keeper and the back four only. The idea is to show how to develop play from the keeper through the back four. When a fullback receives the ball having taken up a wide position this player must run the ball forward 10 yards then the coach c oach shouts “Check “Check”. ”. This is to simulate an opponent stopping any further forward movement so we must go back and across the field. Check the positions of the other three defenders in terms of their support positions. Work the ball across the back four for the other fullback to receive the ball and check the support positions of the defenders again should the ball have to go back across. 2. Progressions are: A) have the center back pass across the other center back straight to the opposite fullback. B) Introduce Introduce a defensive midfielder and play through this player. The call can be “Switch” and the ball is transferred from one fullback to the other through the defensive midfielder. C) Introduce a left and right midfielder to develop overlap situations on both sides of the field. The aim is to run the ball on the overlap through the target goals. D) Either the wide midfielders can play the fullback in on the overlap or the defensive midfielder can be the link player, going either way. 3. The starting position: The coach shots at goal, the defending team are in a defensive set up. Once the keeper receives the ball the back four spread out to offer the keeper the opportunity to build the play from the back. You can vary your numbers depending on how many players you have or how difficult or easy you want to make it to gain success.

Players widen as they go forward and shrink as they go back. Practice up and out to get shape without a ball. Shadow with a ball passing across the back four any player run it out, start again.

Passing across the back four, keeper to (2), to (4) who plays the ball to (3) switching the play. (3) Can run the ball out to a designated line then the players retreat back into a defensive formation and the ball can start from the keeper again who can pass to anyone but preferably to a wide player. Players support across the field incase the ball needs switched or incase in a game the player loses possession.

4v2

1. Fullback (2) receives the ball from the keeper and striker (A) close the space down in front. 2. (2) plays the ball inside to center back (4) with striker (B) closing down now. (4) Switches the play to fullback (3) or could have used center back (5). 3. If (B) stays out to stop the pass wide to (3) then center back (4) can bring the ball out and attack the open space in front. 7v3

1. Full back (2) breaks wide to offer an angle for a pass, the keeper passes it. 2. (2) plays the ball into midfielder (7) who is closed down by opposition midfielder (C). 3. (7) passes back to defensive midfielder (6) who switches the play to fullback (3) breaking forward and wide.

1. (7) receives the pass off (2) and moves inside to create space outside for (2) to run into. Here we have worked the overlap and (2) who receives the pass from (7) plays a forward pass. 2. (8) and (9) switch positions with (8) making a diagonal run inside to outside to receive the pass. (9) And (10) work their way into the box to receive the cross. 3. Alternatively if (8) stays out the space in front, (2) can continue the overlap run forward and get into a crossing situation also.

1. After the overlap and pass and the diagonal run this is how the team should move forward to get in a position to score a goal. 2. All the team moves forward together remaining compact throughout with options for the crosser in and around the box. 3. (6) may get into the box itself or position on the edge, (11) looks for over hit balls beyond the far post or positions to receive the second ball on the edge of the box should a defender win the header and clear. (7) Also positions for the pull back from (8) to the edge of the box for a shot at goal or for the second ball clearance.

FUNCTION: CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS DEFENDING

1. Start position 1 - passing into midfield from (8) to either (6) or (11). 2. SP2 - passing into the striker (10). 3. Coaching Points: a) Pressure (stopping players turning). b) Stopping forward passes (if player gets turned). c) Making play predictable (forcing into the support). d) Defensive Support (angle / distance / communication). e) Recovery lines and distances (if the ball gets beyond the midfield) and tracking runs. 4. If the defenders win the ball it goes to a server (8) and we start again.

1. Here (11) receives the pass. Defender (B) closes this player down and presses the ball, showing (11) inside to the support player, defender (C) slides over and supports defender (B) but also has an eye on midfielder (6). 2. Supporting defender (C) also has a job to do in getting into the passing lane of a pass from

midfielder (11) to striker (10) so a pass to that player is prevented. 3. Defenders (B) and (C) work together as a unit to try to win back the ball. 4. The rotation of pressure and support is the same as the two center backs.

RECOVERY AND TRACKING RUNS

1. Start position 2: (8) passes the ball into the striker (10) and midfielder (11) makes a forward run trying to get behind marker (B). (B) Tracks the run and recovers back. If (110 gets beyond the ball (B) must continue to track the run and make the recovery run until such time as they run offside. 2. (6) in turn moves into the space left to support behind the ball and central midfield defender (C) marks then to prevent this.

THE BACK PASS TO THE KEEPER WITH A BACK FOUR

1. Keeper communication is vital. Use the 3 words, “KEEPER”; if it is the keeper’s ball; “BACK;” if they want it passed back; and “AWAY”; if they want the player to clear it. 2. S.P. The coach plays a ball in behind the back four of an 11 v 11 game and they need to recover back. 3. It is a 4 v 2 for now, with passive defending and pressing from (A) and (B). 4. Looking to pass back to the keeper then player’s offer themselves to receive a pass form the keeper and thus maintain possession immediately. 5. Two strikers (A) and (B) pick two players to mark leaving two free and the keeper has to identify the free players and pass to one of them. 6. The defending team can have target goals to play to if you like so they have a goal to achieve at the end of it.

1. (4) Passes back to the keeper away and to the side of the goal (so if the keeper misses the ball it will not go into the net).

2. (B) closes down (5), (A) is clever and closes down between (4) and (5), leaving (3) free to receive. (B) Could do the same but the field is so wide (if the fullback (3) uses the full width of the field to make it difficult) that it is difficult to mark both players. 3. If (B) closes (3) down when (3) receives the ball, (5) and the rest of the back four needs to adjust so (3) can play back and across to keep possession.

1. Here (B) stops (3) who will now have to go back across the back four and the team get out the other side. 2. (3) could also pass back to the keeper and start again. 3. The other players in the back four have to position behind (3) so (3) can go back and maintain possession if going forward is not an option. 4. Here (2) gets out the other side of the field. 5. Players use the full width of the field to give themselves as much time and space to work in as possible.

1. Start Position: Serve into different areas so each player gets a chance to pass back to the keeper. 2. Here the service is to (3). Increase the pressure from the two opponents. 3. Here they try to work together to press the ball quickly but it may allow a quick pass back to the keeper and then a quick pass outside the other way to fullback (2) who should be touchline wide once the keeper receives the back pass.

THEME: PLAYING OUT FROM THE DEFENDING THIRD WHY? 1. TO PROVIDE PRE – PRE – DETERMINED  DETERMINED PLAYERS WITH POSSESSION OF THE BALL IN CHOSEN SITUATIONS 2. TO RUN WELL ESTABLISHED PATTERNS OF PLAY THAT ARE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD 3. TO PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO FRONT PLAYERS OR MIDFIELD PLAYERS 4. TO PRODUCE AN OVER LOAD OF PLAYERS BEYOND THE FIRST DEFENDING LINE TECHNICAL PRINCIPLES 1. GETTING PLAYERS COMFORTABLE AND COMPOSED ON THE BALL IN THE PLAYING THIRD NEAREST THEIR OWN GOAL 2. PLAYERS MAKING DECISIONS: WHEN, AND WHEN NOT TO RECEIVE IN THIS AREA 3. DEVELOP: SUPPORT, PASSING, RECEIVING, RUNNING WITH THE BALL, BODY LANGUAGE, AND AWARENESS SKILLS IN PLAYERS TACTICAL PRINCIPLES 1. RAPID RELEASE BY KEEPER TO FREE PLAYERS 2. A PRESSURE FREE AREA CREATED BY OURSELVES OR ALLOWED BY THE OPPOSITION IN DEFENDING THIRD 3. UNDERSTANDING OF AIMS AND CO ORDINATED MOVEMENTS NEEDED TO PLAY FROM THE DEFENDING THIRD SPREADING OUT AND PLAYING FROM THE DEFENSE Build up your session with overload to gain confidence and get success e.g. 4 v 1 then 3 v 1, 4 v 2 then 3 v 2 etc COACHING POINTS 1. Spread out. 2. Decision – Decision  – when,  when, where and how to pass. 3. Technique – Technique – quality  quality of pass (weight, accuracy, timing). 4. Support Positions – Positions – angles  angles and distances. 5. Communication – Communication – TALK.  TALK. 6. Running with the ball. A4v1

1. Directional session. session. Here we are passing to free a player to go forward. Score by running the ball to the opposite line. Rotate players. Line represents midfield area of the field. Can change to 3 v 1, 4 v 2, 3 v 2, 4 v 3 etc. 2. Develop – Develop – Combine  Combine two groups and work with 10 players attacking two ways. To keep the idea of spreading out use two goals at each end so if it’s tight one side switch to the other. A 4 v 2 is better to work the session with, so working with twelve players. In own sessions, ratio you use depends on numbers you have. 4 v 1 x 2 (5 v 5)

1. Vary the size of area depending on age group. 2. Forward stays in the attacking half, maximum of two defenders in attacking half when they have possession. Two left in defending half encourages playing the ball back if necessary to keep possession. Once lose possession defenders must retreat back into defending half to allow other team the chance to build from the back as this is the theme we are working on. 3. Both teams have the chance to work on spreading out and attacking. 4. Can run or pass the ball out of defending half. 5. As they get good, change the ten players to two 3 v 2’s in each half instead of 4 v 1’s. 6 v 6 SESSION USING DEFENSIVE, MIDFIELD AND ATTACKING ZONES

1. A 3 v 1 in defending third working the ball into midfield then into attacking third. Initially players stay in own third to learn the idea of shape through the team. 2. Ensure link up play develops both going forward and coming back; players get in position to support teammates early. 3. Players are allowed to move between zones and link up. As previously, once they lose possession they drop back into own third to allow the other team to develop their play.

QUICK TRANSITION 2 v 2 GAME

1. A 2 v 2 game going to 4 goals. The team who scores stays on and must quickly defend the 2 new players coming in (one from each goal that the opposition defends). 2. Instant transition with the same ball that the opponents scored with, here (3) and (4) are positioned to immediately bring the ball the opponents’ opponents’ may score with out to attack. The other two players (1) and (2) must get off the field ASAP. 3. The 1st thought of the player on the ball has to be “Can I score?” 4. The 1st thought of the 1st defender is can I stop them scoring, win possession immediately, and score myself. 5. First team to 10 goals wins, keeping the competitive element. 6. If the ball goes out of play the coach can provide another one to keep things going quickly.

1. Introduce a target player (can be coaches or players). Now it can be a 3 v 2 effectively. Players can use the target to play give and goes with each other or with their immediate teammates. 2. Here B scores and (4) stops the ball and brings it out to form a new attack with (3).

(1) And (2) get off the field quickly. (4)’s first thought as the ball is traveling to him or her is “where are the opponents weakest, where are we strongest?” This will dictate dictate which direction the first touch of the ball is taken. Looking to create give and go situations. 3. (A) and (B) stay on and defend trying to win the ball back and score again. 4. You can do it with a 3 v 3 depending on numbers and using three goals each side. 5. Liken passing into the goal as a midfielder passing into a striker so they get the ball in there as quickly as possible or a defender into a midfielder. 6. Players must get between opponents and open up passing lanes into the goal (that represents the target). 7. Can work on quick break but also quick pressing defensively after scoring (liken to regaining possession in the attacking third). 8. Also with the wide goals we are looking to change the play and switch direction that fits in with the theme of changing direction with the first touch. Coaching Points Attacking: a) Quick Break and counter attack b) Switching the point of attack if another goal is more open c) Quick one and two touch passing d) Positioning to open up passing lanes and getting between defenders to pass the ball in early e) Creating 2 v 1 situations from a 2 v 2 set up and setting up a give and go. Coaching Points Defending: a) Instant pressure as possession changes (transition after scoring going from being an attacker to being a defender) b) Regaining possession at the front with a scoring reward c) Getting in front of the passing lanes to prevent the quick pass into the goal. d) Working together with pressure and support, the support player supporting the first defender, stepping across and covering the passing lane to the second goal and also keeping an eye on the 2nd attacker. Transition Coaching Points: a) Immediately the team that has been in possession of the ball and has scored then they must switch on mentally to being defenders and high pressuring the new attacking team to try to win the ball back and score again. Mixed gender practice: You practice:  You have for example 4 boys and 4 girls you could have a 2 v 2 game with the girls and when I goal is scored both teams come off and both boys teams come on, or if you had different levels of players and did not want to mix them up in the practice you can do this too.

Develop: 1. Allow back passes to the players in their own goal so they can support the two (or three) attacking players on the ball. 2. Allow them only one touch so they have to pass it quickly, make a quick decision and players receiving all need to get open to help them. 3. Vary the number of touches on the ball depending on the age and level of the players and their ability to perform.

QUICK TRANSITION 3 AGAINST 3 Do the same set up but with three goals either side of the field and 3 v 3 games. It offers more options of passes in the field of play and starts to get the players thinking about triangular support or diamond support if the ball is with a supporting player off the field. A diamond set up below.

MIDFIELD ROTATION EMPHASIZING MOVEMENT AND MOBILITY

1. Score at (1), pass to (2) and back in. You can score at all four target players. One player in each square in the middle, they must rotate within the squares so there is constant movement and mobility in midfield and a different player in each small square. 2. Looking to get a player turned and facing forward towards the other side of the grid to then pass the ball to a target player. 3. Build up slowly so no opposition to begin, then 1 defender in, 2 in; 3 in and eventually a 4 v 4. Players on the outside have to find the free players on the inside. The defenders man mark to begin. Then have them zonal mark if they like which means the attacking players have to get creative.

1. Now it is a 4 v 4. Lots of movement between the players until a free man is seen and the ball passed to them. (1) And (2), and (3) and (4) can pass to each other until an open player appears.

1. Here it shows how players switch squares in order to try to get free.

1. Here (5) gets free following a diagonal run and passes successfully to (4). 2. Players can move up and down or diagonally within the midfield area.

1. Now change the shape in the middle to a diamond style (that will suit a diamond midfield better). (1) Passes to (2) and there is not a good pass on so (2) passes back to (1) and as the ball travels the players in the middle are on the move again.

OBJECTIVE: AN AWARENESS OF WHERE THE SPACE IS TO EXPLOIT USING THE SHADOW STRIKER (PART ONE)

1. Server 3 feeds the shadow striker (10). 2. (10) turns and feeds 1 at the far end. 3. 1 feeds 2, striker switches with another player (3 or 4) and the cycle continues. 4. Technical Coaching Points: a) Support angle / distance of (10) b) Receiving skills of (10) c) Passes into and from (10) d) Awareness of (10) 5. Progression: a) Players change sides before receiving a pass from (10). b) Introduce another striker. 6. Liken the thirds to the attacking third, middle third and defensive third so the shadow striker is dropping back from the attacking third to the middle third to receive the ball. 7. You could liken this to a midfield player dropping short to receive from the back players also. 8. This is a great all round clinic for many skills being trained including: Passing quality and the weight and angle of the pass, Movement off the ball, Creating and finding space, supporting positions particularly angled support; decision making without pressure to begin, transition, and ultimately Awareness on and off the ball. ball .

1. Here (10) has passed to (1) who plays the ball to (2) to change the angle of the pass to the next shadow striker (3). 2. As (10) lays the pass off he or she chooses a player to switch with. This player, in this case (3), then goes to receive from (2) and the cycle continues. 3. All the players get the chance to make the necessary runs as the shadow striker in the middle and into the middle third. 4. Liken here (1) as the second striker in front who has received a pass from (10). 5. Once this pass has been undertaken (1) and (2) become essentially midfield support players going the other way, and (10) and (4) are target second strikers. 5. Based on who the middle player passes the ball to can determine which player the middle player switches with to ensure there is an angled support. Here the ball will eventually finish up at (2) so the logical player to switch with is (3) as shown to maintain the angled support. If the switch was to be with (4) then that player needs to ensure they do not support a pass from (3) in a straight line so should work an angle to receive, making a run to the center of the field not straight at (2). POINT STRIKER / SHADOW STRIKER

1. Central Area coned off into thirds. Six players (4 servers, 2 players). Outside players serve to each other then into one or the other player inside the grid. Initially pass to the shadow striker first. 2. Both (9) and (10) must touch the ball before it is transferred to the other side. 3. (9) and (10) must be aware of each others positions. Must positions. Must never be in the same third of the field to ensure one goes short and one long. 4. Working on receiving skills and release skills. 5. Avoid supporting in a straight line, working angles off each other to support. 6. Progression 1: Play the ball into the second striker or point striker who then lays it off for the shadow striker, instead of it going to the shadow striker first then the point striker. The difference is, to the shadow striker first, this player has to receive and turn and pass, into the point striker then it is all passing the way you are facing. 7. Progression 2: One server player can move into the area as a supporting midfield player and receive passes off (9) or (10).

1. The play starts at player 1. 2. All players have the opportunity to be the two strikers, the point striker and the shadow striker. 3. When (10) and (9) have combined and passed the ball to (3) or (4) they switch with (1) and (2) who become the two strikers going the other way. 4. One player has to go short into the midfield third to be the shadow striker and one stays up top in the attacking third as the point striker. 5. Have then both make diagonal runs to get into position because this will make them more difficult to pick up in a game.

1. Here the timing of the runs are too early so the two strikers switch positions to make the timing right. In a game this will make it more difficult for defenders to mark them but this constant movement off the ball to receive.

TRAVELING WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE BALL (PART 1) DEVELOPING PLAY WITH A DEFENDING BACK FOUR INTRODUCING OPPONENTS TO SHADOW DEFEND AGAINST DEVELOPING DEFENSIVE PLAY INTRODUCING A MIDFIELD IN FRONT OF THE DEFENSIVE FOUR TACTICAL DESIGN AND KEY COACHING POINTS DEFENDING WITH A BACK FOUR AND FOUR RECOVERING MIDFIELDERS AGAINST EIGHT ATTACKERS DEFENDING WITH a 4 v 8 AGAINST OVERLOAD TACTICAL DESIGN FOR AN 11 v 11 DISTRIBUTING THE BALL TO VARIOUS LOCATIONS ON THE FIELD TO DEFEND AGAINST

1. The session is designed to show how to work on team shape building up from a back four only. Side cones are 25 to 30 yards apart as are the defenders and the coach. The coach moves with the ball and the defenders mirror the movement maintaining the distances between them. 2. You can use the signal words UP, OUT, HOLD, DROP, and SLIDE, to determine the movement. Eventually we need to work up to an 11 v 11 situation showing how to work a team as individuals, as units and ultimately a team.

1. Here the coach moves to the outside and the whole back four adjust their positions across the field (slide) to compensate for this movement, (2) being the player to apply immediate pressure on the ball. 2. Re-emphasize the idea that the players are tied as links in a chain and so have to move together as links of a unit or even tie them up so they feel how it is when they move together. Coach moves back up the field the back four condense up also based on the position of the ball. INTRODUCE ATTACKING OPPONENTS

1. Players with the ball pass it across in front of the defenders. Defenders adjust their positions to mirror this movement. This is working on marking zones and marking players and distinguishing between the two depending on where the ball is. 2. Pass across to the next player and hold the ball there, check the defenders positions, then

move the ball again. 3. Use the side cones as guides to distancing between units as they are introduced. 4. The ball has been passed inside and the defenders adjust closing down the player on the ball and closing down the spaces around the ball. 5. This is continued using all the players sometimes missing a player out with a pass so it goes across two players to test the defenders and how they adjust. Once they have grasped this concept you can move the players to the next progression. In the next phase of the session have extra balls ready in the center circle to keep the flow of the session going.

1. The coach now has players to pass the ball to (opponents). These players initially must be in static positions to check the set up. You can us a rope to tie the four defenders together to get the idea of moving as a unit. Players maintain an open stance so they can see opponents as well as the ball. When the ball is at (C) or (D) the back four take positions with regard to (A) and (B) and do not get drawn to the ball. Defending team can win back the ball only with interceptions of passes not with tackles to allow us to look at the shape they achieve. 2. Here we see how the back four should look once the ball has been passed wide and defender (2) has closed the ball down. 3. Notice the back four is NOT flat but like angled links between each player with the central defender (5) the deepest player. This player can effectively be called the sweeper. When the ball is at (B) on the other side, (4) becomes the sweeper. 4. The second center back is the deepest player and the two center backs share this responsibility depending on which side of the field the ball is positioned. INTRODUCING A DEFENDING MIDFIELD FOUR

Midfielder has five jobs five jobs to think about when defending: 1. Recover  back  back to get goal side of side of the ball. 2. Be the pressurizing player pressurizing  player to stop the player on the ball (win, delay or force one way). 3. Support the Support the pressurizing player with angle, distance and communication. 4. Cover their own opponent so opponent so as they receive the ball they can close them down. 5. Step into the passing lanes to lanes to prevent forward passes getting through midfield to strikers. 6. Midfield adjusts as the ball is passed to (D). (11) Closes, (8) drops in to support, (6) and (7) squeeze across. The back four push up and across to maintain the distance between themselves and the midfield. (8) Could double up on (D) with (11) as an option. (D) passes the ball to the coach again and the ball is switched to another player and the defenders adjust again as a team to compensate. 7. Wide players still static just receiving and passing. Defenders can still only intercept passes as we are working with the positioning of the defending team. If they win it with an interception they pass it to the coach and we start again.

INTRODUCE TWO STRIKERS AND TWO CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS TO THE ATTACKING TEAM PLUS TARGET GOALS

Tactical Design 1. Pressure. 2. Support. 3. Cover / Balance. 4. Recover. 5. Double Team. 6. Track. 7. Compactness. 2. Introduce two strikers and two central midfielders to the attacking team and allow all the players to go free. Coach the faults as they happen in free play, correcting the positioning of the players. When the defending team win the ball (only through an interception initially) they must pass to the targets or they can pass to the coach working the ball out where they can. The Coach can then start a new game.

1. Once the players get used to the tactical plan allow the defenders to now tackle the opponents and win the ball back as in a game situation. 2. The coach can pass the ball to various attacking players in different positions on the field and

the defending team must try to regain possession and get the ball to a target goal and the session begins again. 3. This ensures the defending team has lots of repeated opportunity to practice defending because as soon as they win the ball and get it to the target the other team get the ball back and the process begins again. TRAVELING WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE BALL (PART 2) FOUR AGAINST EIGHT WITH FOUR RECOVERING MIDFIELDERS

1. Make the defensive challenge more difficult by putting the midfield in recovering positions to help the back four. The back four can be patient when the ball is in midfield and keep their shape delaying the opponents until the midfield recover back to help. 2. Have a time limit before they can begin their recovery. Do the session with the four recovering midfielders first then make it more difficult and use only two recovering midfielders then just have the back four against the 8 attacking players and see how many goals the attacking team can score in an 8 v 4 overload situation in their favor. FOUR AGAINST EIGHT OVERLOAD SITUATION

1. Now we are really testing the back four players and seeing if they have grasped how to defend as a unit and how to decide when to mark a player and when to mark space in a 4 v 8 overload against. 2. Pay particular attention to the wide defenders being drawn to close down (C) or (D) and leave (A) and (B) free thus breaking up the shape of the back four unit and offering opportunities to the attacking team to get behind the defense in wide areas. Also observe the central players being drawn into midfield. Patience is the key here, let them play in midfield there is no danger there in this situation. 3. This is the best course of action where the back four stay intact and allow the midfielders of the attacking team to play and pass the ball in front of them. 4. They only attempt to close players down as they get closer to the goal or the ball gets closer to their immediate opponents. Here (C) gets the ball but is no danger and (2) holds position aware of where (C) is but moves across the field slightly closer to (A) just in case (A) receives the ball. 5. If the ball is passed to (A) then (2) has to close (A) down. The rest of the back four move slightly across also, maintaining their distances. TO CLOSE OR NOT TO CLOSE IN WIDE AREAS

1. This is an example of what can happen if the wide defender is drawn to the ball when it is at (C).Notice as (2) leaves the space and closes (C), the ball is passed into striker (E) who can lay off the ball wide into the open space that has been left by (2) for (A) to run into unopposed. 2. This now compromises (4)’s position who now has a 2 v 1 against. If (2) were to anticipate the pass early and be in a position to intercept, only then would it be possible to close (C) down and have success. If you were to tie the four up this would prevent this situation happening and let the players feel how they should position with the restriction of being tied together.

TO CLOSE OR NOT TO CLOSE IN CENTRAL AREAS

1. This is the best course of action when a central player’s position is threatened by a movement short by the striker. (5) Only goes so far then lets striker (F) go deep into midfield. In a game

situation a midfielder could pick up (F) on entering their zone. As extra cover, as (5) goes short, (4) moves across to cover the space left by (5) and (2) moves across to cover the space left by (4)’s movement leaving the outside space free. The best scen ario is if (5) only goes so far then drops back to establish the chain link of the back four again maybe even dropping into the position (4) left to fill the first space if this player has covered across.

1. A position to avoid getting into would be when the striker goes short to receive the ball to feet. The central defender must decide how far to follow but not allow a big hole to be made behind by being pulled away from the other three defenders. 2. This shows the defender going too far and being drawn into midfield. The correct decision would be to only go so far as to not lose touch with the back four unit shape, if the striker keeps going short then he / she is moving away from the danger area and into an area where they will be less of a danger to the back four defenders. (4) And (2) can still move across and fill the spaces left but (5) does not want to get too far away from them to become isolated. DEFENDING IN AN 11 v 11 SITUATION

1. Here we have developed the practice into an 11 v 11 game situation, still working with the defending team (numbered team). The coach serves to the opponents lettered team in different locations on the field and the team need to try to win the ball back individually and collectively. 2. The target for the defending team when they win the ball could be to just chip the ball into the opponent’s keeper and the defending team has to win the ball again starting from where the coach serves the ball. 3. I have shown zonal defending as a team using a 4-3-1-2 system of play with a diamond shaped midfield but the same principles apply with other systems using the zonal method of defending and it is easy to practice this method with different shapes of teams. 4. Over the page the same idea with a different set up. You can set the session up in your preferred team system of play and / or set the other team up in the system of play you know your next opponents play to practice defending against. There are numerous variations to use in this set up to achieve your defensive goals.

1. Here we are using a 4 – 4  – 4  4 –  – 2  2 system to work the defending set up. 2. It is the same idea as the previous diagram the coach can play the ball into various situations always to the other team to attack and for the defending team you are coaching to try to win back the ball. 3. Once you have used the target plan to allow lots of opportunity for defensive situations to practice, the defending team can now be allowed to attack the opposition as a reward for regaining possession and score a goal if possible. 4. Eventually let the game go free. FUNCTION: GETTING A FULL BACK IN ON AN OVERLAP (PART ONE)

1. No opposition to begin. This is an attacking scheme that if practiced consistently in training the players will teach them to identify the situation in a game and perform the required movement. This is an easy introduction to developing the movement. 2. Only 5 players are needed in this practice, use the relevant players in those positions to perform the action. Do the same on the other side of the field with the relevant players on the left also. 3. (2) Passes to (7) who comes inside and passes to (9) who has come short to receive. (9) Passes back to (8) and (8) can play a through ball to (2) that has made the overlap run past (7). In this instance (2) is particularly hard to mark going late and fast from a deep position. Cross and finish the movement. 4. Same idea on the other side of the field. This can also be described as a “third man run”, and this type of run is often difficult to pick up for the defending team with the run coming from so deep. 5. Again use the relevant four players in these positions to get them used to the movement and execution. 6. Introduce defenders as the players get better at this but insist on them being passive to start, and then build up into a full scale practice. 7. Introduce more players, another striker for example then you can work beyond this with runs into the box to finish off the cross.

1. Introduce passive defenders to begin and progress the attacking function to them defending properly to put more pressure on the attacking players. 2. Introduce more players as we go along. 3. If the defenders win the ball then they can pass it to the coach or a target and the movement begins again. 4. Coaching Points: Points: a) Quality of Passing b) Angles of Support Positions c) Timing of the Over lap run d) End Product (Quality of Cross and finish on goal) INTRODUCE A SECOND STRIKER

1. 1st striker checks away, 2nd striker comes in. 2. Track their movement into the box beyond the pass to the full back to get a finish. END PRODUCT IN THE BOX

1. This is the end product of the move with (9) scoring with a header. (7) And (8) follow in positioning on the edge of the box, (10) positions at the far post. FUNCTION: GETTING A FULLBACK IN (PART TWO) SHADOW PLAY DEVELOPING MOVEMENTS BOTH SIDES OF THE FIELD

1. Do one side at a time. Can have 2 sets of two strikers each side to involve more players and

include both strikers being the set up player where they switch positions. 2. Using a flat four midfield. Next phase is to switch the play the other way and combine to two set ups. 3. Framework is drill like to begin; certain movements have to be made. 4. Then within the framework of the session the players make different runs based on each others movement and the passers have to see this. 5. Keeper kicks the ball to (8) to start the move. Start with shadow play, play, no opposition to get the players used to the type of movement required. You can lay cones down to show the correct positions to start from. In a game the team wouldn’t do the move both sides as the situation wo uld be available to execute down one side only but for practice purposes we purposes we need to set it up both sides to sides to enable all wide players to practice. 6. Movement has to happen when there is time on the ball for ball for the passer. In this situation it helps if the striker  on  on that side moves the defender away from away from the space. 7. Fullbacks wait until wait until the wide players move inside so as not to alert the opposition (timing of the run). It’s all about the timing of timing of the runs and runs and the pass. pass. Fullbacks break as late as late as possible and as fast as fast as possible to make it hard for them to be picked up.

1. Progress the session to include both full backs and have (8) with the option of passing to either one. 2. Initially do not include a defender down the left side to allow some success from the move, and then add defenders as the session develops. 3. Here you can add the other midfield player also who could make the forward run instead if necessary. 4. The main objective is to link the back line with the midfield line and the front line. 5. In this instance we bring in “switching the point of attack” using the full width of the field of play. Progress this into a “Phase Play” 6. Ask the defenders to make other choices so the players on and off the ball need to react differently with their decision making. 7. Maybe the wide defender tracks (3) instead so (11) is free and (8) has to see that and change the attack. 8. Maybe (7) makes the overlap run and (3) stays. 9. Maybe (2) stays and (10) makes the wide run and (8) has to see that and act accordingly.

GETTING FULL BACKS IN INTRODUCING MORE OPPOSITION

1. Progress the session to a Phase Play. 2. Start Position: Position: Keeper kicks the ball to (6) (not shown here) to begin the play; or (8) can play a 1-2 with a player; for example with (6) and this is the “Cue” to begin the session and the ensuing movement of the players. 3. Use a set start position such as the options above for each ensuing progression. 4. Introduce targets for the defending team to work to if they gain possession of the ball. 5. Initially do it without so many defenders to allow it a chance to work then introduce more opponents as they session develops to your satisfaction. 6. Bring in opposition but passive defending passive defending to begin. Here the two wide defensive players on the opposition track inside with the movement inside of our players. Set this as a condition to begin. 7. Space is Space is created outside for outside  for the fullbacks to push on. The timing of their runs is important as they can’t go too early or too late. 8. Players have to recognize the moment and moment and react accordingly. 9. Generally the opponent’s players will track inside with the player to create space outside. 10. Let it go free. If opponent players don’t track inside then the player on the ball can pass it between the between the wide player and the center back for our wide player coming inside.

PASSING OPTIONS FOR THE PLAYER ON THE BALL

1. Here on the left side of the field the defender doesn’t track the track the wide player (11) coming inside, but runs into the space into space into which the fullback (3) is going (maybe the team did the same move before and caught the opposition off guard by getting the fullback in so this time decided to wait and mark the fullback). 2. Therefore the passer plays the ball into the space inside to inside to the attacking wide player coming in rather than the fullback outside. 3. Hence whatever the defender does, be it stay wide or track inside there should always be an option for option for the passer  when  when the wide player makes that important move inside. inside.

CREATING SPACE FOR MOVEMENT INSIDE TO RECEIVE

1. This is a great move to get a wide player breaking inside attacking the goal to cross or cross or shoot

or work a play off play off (9). If you use this ploy often in a game you can have a left footer on the right and a right footer on the left so left so they come inside onto their stronger  foot.   foot. 2. The striker (10) makes a run out wide to take the man marking defender away from the space and (8) passes the ball inside for (11) to receive. 3. If it is a pre – planned move  planned move (recognizing (recognizing the moment) moment) the execution of it can catch the defender unawares, the attacker s know what is happening but the defenders don’t so it gives them a time and space advantage. advantage. 4. This is a very difficult move to prevent when it is executed properly. The ball can be passed in from other parts of the field for example from (3) or (7) or even (2) if the move is on but it is best where it is short and sharp so sharp  so there is less chance of the pass being intercepted. OBJECTIVE: AN AWARENESS OF WHERE THE SPACE IS TO EXPLOIT USING THE SHADOW STRIKER WITH OPPOSITION (PART TWO) INTRODUCE DEFENDERS

Much of this session is adapted from a session I observed by Dick Bate. Bate is well known internationally as an extremely knowledgeable coach. He has coached the Malaysian National Team, England U19 team and recently was the Technical Director for the Canadian F.A. 1. (A) and (B) work along the lines to try to intercept the passes made by (10). Here (1) and (2) can move along the line to open up the angle to receive from (10).The defenders (A) and (B) must stay and defend in their own third initially. 2. Progression: Defenders (A) and (B) can come forward and oppose (10) after (10)’s first touch this means (10) has time to receive and turn and pass successfully so the pressure is essentially passive. passive. 3. (10) feeds a target player and then changes place with (3) or (4). 4. Therefore alternating the shadow striker . 5. Technical Coaching Points: a) An Awareness of the positions of (A) and (B) before receiving the ball. b) Passing past opponents c) Attacking opponents with the ball; running with the ball, wall passes 6. All players change positions as the exercise continues. continues . INTRODUCE DEFENDERS AND THE POINT STRIKER

1. Progression 1: TRY THIS WITH ONE DEFENDER IN EACH SIDE FIRST TO GAIN SUCCESS. Defenders must stay in their own thirds and can only intercept the pass. Try to have the players combine. If the single defender in the first progression closes down (9) (knowing (10) and (9) have to combine) and it becomes false, then have it where (10) can receive and pass directly to an S player. 6. Progression 2: Add two defenders each side. This will ensure one defender tries to get into the passing lane to stop this and may in fact release (9) for a pass. 2. Serving players on the outside must move along the line to open up the possibility of the pass from (9) or (10). 3. In this case (A) and (B) can intercept the pass to (9) or (10). 4. (10) must maneuver a position into the middle third and so get free to receive, but also into a position between or either side of (A) and (B) to open up the angle for the pass from (2). 5. (9) stays in the attacking third and so can be challenged by (C) or (D). 6. The idea is for (10) to drop deep to become the shadow striker and get free from the marking of (C) or (D) as neither can encroach into the middle third.

1. Here (9) and (10) combine and pass to (4) then switch with (1) and (2).

1. (10) and (9) combine and pass to (4). Defenders (C) and (D) try to intercept the pass. 2. (10) and (9) then have to switch back with (1) and (2) who become the next two strikers going the other way. 3. Timing of this change is possible because by the time the ball has been transferred from (4) to (3) the timing should be right. 4. Again, one player becomes the shadow striker and one the point striker staying in different thirds to ensure there is depth between depth between them.

1. Here they both make diagonal runs to receive the pass. The pass could go to player (1) or player (2) first.

1. Or they could both come back in straight lines then switch late and fast to make their ultimate diagonal runs, to lose markers in a game situation for example.

COMPETITIVE PRACTICE

1. Developing quality passing and support play in a 4 v 2 overload. 2. Progression 1: 1: Start with two 3 v 1’s then progress to two 4 v 2’s and a player in the middle all the time. Play through this player from one side to the other. 3. Progression 2: Keep ball in a 4 v 2, until the opportunity arises to play a pass into the middle zone but a player from the other group now drops into the middle zone to receive and transfer. 4. Player drops into the middle zone: a) Correct timing b) Awareness c) Body angle / shape d) Good first touch e) Release of pass or run the ball into the end zone into the 4 v 2 again. 5. Play until an opportunity opens up in the other side. 6. Look for angled passes as well as straight passes, angles runs short into the middle zone to receive as well as straight runs.

SUPPORT STRIKER AND MIDFIELD

1. A 3 v 2 in the middle third (or a 2 v 1). 2. The (A) and (B)’s act as defenders along their lines and in the middle. (If it doesn’t work easily consider using only one defender at each end to begin). 3. The outside four players receive and feed the ball into the middle third for (4), (8) and (10). 4. All players stay in their own thirds. 5. Technical Coaching Points: a) Movement and support positions of (6), (8) and (10). b)  Awareness of the ball and the other p layers positions of (10). c) Receiving sk ills and combination skills with other players d) Releasing and passing skills (timing and accuracy) e) Support and passing skills of end players. 6. Any player in the 3 v 2 over load can be the shadow striker as such, they will potentially mark two players, and the passer has to find the free player who can then be classed as the (10). 7. The free player can become the shadow striker from the next pass not essentially the first pass in, for example (6) may receive it and then (10) becomes available to receive and pass on. 8. Progression: You can ask the defending players in the middle to immediately man mark two attacking players so the Server has to pick out the free player and pass to that player.

COMBINING THE TWO PREVIOUS IDEAS

1. Here we now have competitive small sided games in three separate areas on the field. 2. Progression 1: Have players move between the thirds to support each other. 3. Progression 2: Have the players miss out the middle third players and pass from the back to the front, players in the middle then support behind in a shadow striker capacity.