Defense Against Various Systems

Purpose:

Defense is a game of adjustments and modifications. It is a process of determining the opponents desire and then forcing them to do something different. This session is designed to teach teams how to modify the defensive system to apply the most pressure to various systems.

Equipment:

Cones, pinnies, balls, small goals, large goals.

Progression:

Unrestricted:
Warm up games of 2v2 and 3v3 with a focus on the defensive shape.

Restricted: 
The goal of this game is to teach the back four how to defend versus three forwards.

One goal with counters: 
The goal of this game is to teach the adjustments needed when playing versus a 4-3-3, the shape the attacking team uses is effectively the 4-3-3

Two goals: 
The team being trained plays their system. The attacking team switches systems and forces the defense to compensate and adjust.

Coaching Points:

• See Below

Activity

Setup

Warm up 2v2, 3v3 2v2+1 and 5v3

• Warm up with a variety of possession games. Some smaller some larger.
• Rotate players into both.
• Add a neutral if needed to increase possession.
• Play with limited defense if needed to prevent injuries. (i.e. no hard tackling)
• Coaching points.
  

Coaching Points:

• Defense needs to dictate direction
• Work as a unit defensively – show to cover
• Do not get split.

Play with reward/punishment: Push ups every time you get split. Sprints for losers and so forth.

6+K v 6+K in a 50x60

Defense versus 3 forwards

• Play a 3 -1 -2 versus a 2-1-3
• Defense is in a 3-1-2 playing versus 3 forwards.

Coaching Points:

• The point of this game is to teach the back line how to mark when three forwards are attacking.
• They need to be able to learn how to adjust when there are three forwards up top, instead of just two.
• A secondary point of the game is to force the outside fullbacks into the attack; otherwise they will only be attacking with three.
• Defenders work together as blocks.
• Read the game; learn to adjust.
• There is a third forward; adjust and account for him.

Restrictions: any center midfielders can play in the allies. One fullback and one forward are allowed in the allies at a time.

11v11 in full field

defense verse 3 center mids

Defense versus 3 center mids
2-4-2 v 2-3-2

• Defense is in a 2-4-2 playing versus 2-3-3.
• The attacking midfield should be the grouping of the center midfielders in a triangular shape similar to a 4-3-3.
• The idea is for the four midfielders to work against three midfielders as they overlap and work into the wings while learning how to deal with attacking fullbacks and withdrawn forwards.

Coaching Points:

• When a fullback is attacking midfielders need to step when they become dangerous.
• Curve runs to dictate play.
• The midfielders need to see the forwards as they withdraw into the midfield: step with them and begin marking.
  

11v11 in full field

defense verse 3 center mids

• 4-4-2 v 3-4-3, 4-4-2 v 3-5-2, 4-4-2 v 4-3-3, 4-4-2v 4-4-2
• Play the 4-4-2 versus a variety of systems in full field play. Instruct the attacking team to play the opponents system.
• Learn the intricacies involved in defending versus other systems.
  

Coaching Points

• All of the above.
• Learn to defend and attack as a unit versus varied systems of play.

The 4-4-2 versus a 4-3-3