Training specific roles within flat four

The use of defensive blocks in the 4-4-2

Purpose:	When defending it is important to understand that each player has a role in the larger body. Each individual role is crucial to the success of the larger system. This session begins by working with the core of the flat back four; the central defenders and builds into the entire back eight. The back eight work in two blocks, the midfield block and the defensive block. By learning their role and executing it properly the individuals for a very successful system.
Equipment:	Cones, pinnies, balls.
Progression:	Warm up: The players begin by playing 2v2+K in a small space, the six yard box extended. The central defenders take their role and the rest of the team works in on the attack. Two outside fullbacks can be used as targets in this game as well. This game then progress into 3v2 by adding an attacking center mid. The game is the same as is the goal. The keeper and defenders must work as a unit to prevent quality shots on frame. The keeper must be active in this game. Progress to: The game progresses to 6v4. Four midfielders and two forwards attacking the four defenders and a keeper. The four defenders are playing to two target players who can also serve as neutrals for the attacking six. The goal is to limit quality opportunities and to train the outside backs in being aggressive in stepping to the attacking outside midfielders. This builds into 8v4 + K incorporating attacking outside fullbacks from the opponent. Progress to: The game moves on to 8 v 6 + K. This adds the defending center midfielders into the game. They must learn their role in staying home and dictating play. This builds into 10 v 8 + K adding in the final two outside midfielders. The two blocks are now formed, the midfield block and the defensive block. They must learn to work as two groups connected together to dictate the play of the game.
Coaching Points:	See Practice Plan

THE SESSION

Activity	Setup
Field organization: 80x80 with 5 channels. Center channel is set up as the 6 yard box extended. The flanks are each split into two channels.
2v2+K in center channel. Play in a (60x44) This game is played in the center channel which is 50x20. The game is designed to train the two center backs in a flat four. The coach plays a ball into the red attacking team who attacks with two players. Blue steps out and plays 2v2 to goal. After each attacking series, the defenders jog back and play again. Attackers rotate. If blue wins the green neutrals in the ally are the targets to play to for one point. Progress to: 3 v 2+K The game is the same but with an extra attacker. Coaching Points: All basic points of first and second defender apply and should be understood Use speed to close distance: step to the ball immediately with high pressure to take away space. Use a curved run, don’t lunge Don’t get eliminated, and force the play back to cover. One defender is pressure, the other is cover. “Show to cover” Position body to force the attackers back to cover defender. Keeper-ask yourself “Am I going to get chipped” be as aggressive as possible as long as the answer is no. The keeper role is the role of the sweeper/keeper – any thru balls splitting the defenders must be won by the keeper getting off his line. Communicate-keeper and two defenders must work as one. Read the visual cues. As the possessor’s hips open to pass, cover can steal a step to take space away by getting to pressure quicker.	2v2 in center channel

	Basic first and second defender roles are important! 1 is pressure, 2 is cover. As ball is passed 2 steps to pressure and 1 drops into cover. Don’t chase the ball-work with your defensive partner. As the ball moves, cover steps to pressure, pressure drops in to cover.
	3v2 in center channel

	Center defenders- Who’s dangerous versus not dangerous? Dangerous: the player with the ball and the player one pass away. So pressure, curve your run to force the ball one direction, eliminating one player from the attack.

6v4+K and two T/N in 60 x80 Field extends to full width and 60 deep. The coach plays a ball into a center midfielder who is looking for the forwards. When the ball is played in the game is live. The two center midfielders will be unmarked unless they overlap the forwards in this game. Defense plays to targets (green). Attackers can use targets as neutrals. Progress to 8v4+K and 2 T/N's 4 defenders + 4 midfielders versus 4 defenders +keeper Coaching Points: Press. As soon as possible step to the forwards and take away negative sce. When the ball is in the middle the four defenders squeeze (stepping). As the ball is played out wide the players must flex (drop) a bit. Keep play in front by working as one unit. Backside defender-“see man, see ball” As the ball goes, you go. The outside defenders must be aggressive in stepping to outside midfielders in the flanks, forcing the ball back to the strength, which is the middle of the field. Every time a defenders steps to take space get in the habit of “getting a look” to make sure nobody is sliding in behind you. Have an assistant coach or player officiate, but officiate poorly. If offsides occurs defender raise hand but play on until whistle. Bad officiating happens. Practice it The four defenders are rarely flat, but instead on diagonals with each other. The flatter the diagonal, the less space the attackers have to move the ball, the easier it is to get behind. The steeper the line is makes it easier for a team to posses but more difficult to get behind.	6v4 in center channel

	Outside defenders should be “tucked in” The ball is played in and finds a forward. Defenders squeeze and press to take away as much space as possible. After stepping there is pressure, cover and balance forming two diagonals or a “V”. Work as a unit. Outside defenders should be “tucked in”	This shows the 8v4 setup. The ball is with the center midfielder and works out to the outside midfielder. The outside back is aggressive in stepping to the outside back and the other three work off to form the defensive diagonal. The center backs are still “marking the forwards, but now from a cover position.

8v6+K and two T/N in 60 x 80 4 midfielders +2 Forward +2 outside fullbacks versus 4 defenders+2 center midfielders +keeper Work as two blocks, midfield block and defensive block. Press on negative balls, taking away negative space. Use the allies to keep positioning relative: players should be in three allies when the ball is central (squeeze) and four of the five allies when the ball is outside (dropping) Continual reminders to steal a look when stepping to take space away. Continual communication with each other and keeper Progress to 10v8+K 4 midfielders +2 Forward +4 fullbacks versus 4 defenders + 4 midfielders + keeper The game becomes 10 versus 8 with two full blocks of defenders-the defensive block and the midfield block. Coaching Points: Dealing with two guys on one side: Communicate, compensate to track with them a bit more, but one can mark two quite efficiently. Maintain shape! Tracking with the midfielders. If the central midfielders are attacking, the central midfielders must communicate and stay with runners in the Attacking and Middle thirds of play. The central backs step with the checking forwards. As the central backs step, so do the outside backs, taking away space. Read the cues: A head going down indicates a long service. A hip opening up indicates a pass. And so on. Center defenders-manage the field, you are in charge. Keeper-as defensive blocks steps, you step. Keeper becomes the sweeper essentially. The outside backs are aggressive, this allows the outside midfielders to become aggressive pressuring their outside backs. The 4-4-2 shifts into a 4-2-4 and back again.

	8v6. The defensive block works together. The midfielders work as pressure/cover to dictate play. The outside full backs are responsible for stepping to the attacking outside midfielders.	10v8 Two blocks of defenders: the midfield block and the defensive block. Both must work as units in constant pressure, cover balance.