Age:15-Adult Building up from the back central defenders and midfielders basic cooperation No Players: 14 (13+Gk) Difficulty: Medium/Hard Area/Time: 2/3 Field (25mins) Drill objective (s): 1. Role of midfield players when central defender is in possession 2. Role of central defenders when midfield player is in possession Organisation: Mark out 2/3 of a full size pitch as on diagram. Prepare min. 4 spare balls. The teams play in specific formations. Provide tactical instructions for each team:
Attacking team: 1. 8 players (7+GK) greys 2. 1-2-3-2 formation 3. The attacking team scores in three small goals 4. After losing possession team defends full sized goal and tries to regain the ball as soon as possible. 5. Build up from the back with patience. Defending team: 1. 6 players (reds) 2. 4-2 formation 3. Defend three small goals 4. After gaining possession team scores by scoring in the full sized goal as soon as possible. 5. Apply medium pressure (on 3/4 of the pitch) and force attacking team to play through central defenders INSTRUCTIONS: Game starts when the ball is played in by player no. 1 (goalkeeper). No corner kicks. After a goal the game is restarted by the goalkeeper. Two teams compete and attempt to score. SCORING: The attacking team scores in the three small goals. After gaining possession defending team scores by scoring in the full sized goal as soon as possible. KEY COACHING POINTS: Midfielders 1. Be aware where is the ball, opponent and your teammates. 2. Create space for central defenders by pushing up front to the half of the pitch 3. Make a movement to support central defender in possession (diagonal movement of 6/8) 4. Form diamond (central defender, full back, two midfielders) 5. Observe where is the space to receive 6. Create space as an individual to receive. Starting position behind opposition player. 7. Be aware of your next action 8. Body position to receive 9. Communication (play!, switch! etc.) Defenders 1. Be aware where is the ball, opponent and your teammates 2. Movement to the corner of the penalty box when the GK in possession 3. Body position 4. Communication in the 1 st phase (play!, switch! etc.) 5. Receive the ball in the direction of play 6. Passing priorities (score/nearest player to the goal) 7. Switch play when no option forward. Quick ball circulation from side to side. 8. Communication in the 2 nd phase (turn!, wall pass! man on! etc.) 9. Support for midfielder in possession
PROGRESSIONS: 1. Add more defending players. Create underload. Add more attacking players. Create more complex decision making. 2. Move into 11v11 game 3. Change tactics of defending team (high/low pressure, forcing play) 4. Set more progressive challenges for players DIAGRAM 1 Goalkeeper in possession Goalkeeper places the ball in the middle of the goal box (it will enable playing in different directions without giving opposition signals where the ball will be played). Central defenders (3&4) position themselves by the corners of the penalty box giving goalkeeper two nearest options to play. Full backs (2&5) push up high to the 1/3 of the pitch. Position of central midfielders (6,8&10) should be around the half pitch area. This movement creates space for central defenders to receive the ball.
DIAGRAM 2 Central defender in possession When central defender receives the ball movement of midfield players is vital. Player number 6 (operating at the side of the ball) should make horizontal movement and stay long distance from the ball. Player number 8 should give left option of play for central defender in possession forming diamond (with players number 3,2 and 6). Player number 10 makes a run to the opposite side of the ball keeping triangle shape with other midfield players.
DIAGRAM 3 Ball circulation between central defenders When the ball travels from one central defender to the other, midfielders mirror their positions on the pitch in relation to the other side. Dealing with different opposition tactics:
NOTES: Introduce specific communication commands for defenders and midfielders. Change tactics of the opposition team (high/low pressure, forcing play, 2/3 attackers etc.) to familiarize your players with various playing styles.