DEFENDING AND PRESSING IN A 1-4-2-3-1 AGE PHASE: U12+ PDF

LEVEL

• U12-First team

SESSION OBJECTIVES

To develop a team’s ability to defend effectively by:

• ‘Shaping’ a medium-high press and forcing play one way.

• Being set up to win the ball on the second line of pressure.

• Improving individuals’ defending detail in 1v1 situations.

PART 1: POSSESSION TRANSFER PRACTICE

• This practice requires a minimum of 16 outfield players. Three teams of four combine to retain possession while a further team of four defends.

• The practice is set up so quick transitions from one phase of play to another must take place by both the in and out-of-possession players.

PART 2: TRANSITION-BASED RONDO

• In this practice, 18 outfield players are split into three teams of six. In 6v2 possession situations, the in-possession team must attempt to transfer the ball from one end of a grid to another.

• Should they lose possession, focus turns toward their ability to react quickly to a loss of possession as they become the defensive team.

PART 3: 11v11 GAME

• This is an 11v11 full-scale game in which the players are asked to put into context the principles of defending that have been developed over the course of the first two practices.

• Focus remains on ‘shaping the press’ and ‘winning the ball on the second line’.

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