Defending in the Final Third

Drill Objective(s) 1. Coach a Team in How to Defend in a Phase of Play.

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Drill No: Age: No Players: Difficulty: Area/Time:

AFD3 15-Adult 18 Medium/Hard 2/3 Field (25mins)

Diagram 1

ORGANISATION: Mark out 2/3 of a full size pitch. Starting position of just outside the centre circle, indicated by a yellow cone. T1 is a target player the attacking team can use to maintain possession and the defending team attempt to pass to. Coach the red defending team.
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8 attackers (Yellow) 3-3-2 formation 5 defenders (Red) 4-3-1 formation 1 goalkeeper (Green) 1 Target Player (Grey)

INSTRUCTIONS: In the example above the yellow attacking team combines with each other and attempt to score on goal. Switch the roles of attacking and defending after 10 minutes. The restart positions can be varied. The coach works with the defending team to identify the key points of defending in a phase of play from loosing possession. 1. D1 plays an attempted pass to D2 which is cut out by A1 to simulate a turn over, or the transition for attack to defense. 2. D2 (the closest player to the ball) applies immediate pressure on transition. Because this phase is to coach defending in the final third, generally a drop and press in our own half tactic should be used. However, a similar format could be used for a high pressure training exercise.

SCORING: 2 teams compete and attempt to score. The attacking team scores by scoring on the goal. The defending team scores by clearing the ball out to player T1.

KEY COACHING POINTS: 1. Switch on in transition! 2. Team becomes more compact and drops deep and narrows. 3. Can I intercept? Players should be on their toes and ready to intercept where possible. 4. Discuss whether the team is man marking or zonal. 5. Team slides to strong side of the field to compact space. 6. If man marking, get tight denying any turns. 7. Track forward runs. 8. Recovery runs to get goal side of the ball and markers. 9. Discuss when to press and when not to press (dependent on team tactics). 10. Discuss how deep to drop, do we hold the line and leave them offside (dependent on team tactics). 11. Discuss the positioning/marking of weak side players to be inside to cut off cross field passing opportunities. 12. Delay to allow other team mates to get behind the ball. 13. Defend on the attackers inside shoulders with anticipation marking technique. 14. Head on a swivel to check other defenders positions. 15. Communication on who is stepping to pressure, mark etc. Be clear a specific. 16. Can we make play predictable and work as units and pairs to win the ball back quickly?

Diagram 2 Transition to Defending

Diagram 3 Pass into Forwards feet in the Seam Area

Diagram 4 Anticipation of Through Ball or a Pass Over the Top.

Diagram 5 Negative Pass and the Defensive Line Stepping Up

PROGRESSIONS: Add an additional forward to create a 3-3-3 formation on the attacking team increasing the defending difficulty.

VARIATIONS: 1. Perform on both side of the field (switch sides). 2. Alter the starting position and have a pass into the forwards feet signifying the start of play. Or pass over the top of the defense to simulate a through ball scenario. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS: Enforce the principles of defending wherever there is a breakdown. Many defending problems are solved with communication and simple positioning fixs. Develop an attitude to destroy and break down the attacks.