Defensive shape and press after losing possession

Mark out two 20m circuits ending with a mini-goal.

Set up 4 stations as follows:

• Station 1 – Angle 2 poles towards each other, leaving a small space between them.

• Station 2 – Position 3 poles laterally close together.

• Station 3 – Position 2 poles crossing each other to create a hurdle.

• Station 4 – Lay 4 hoops in a zigzag sequence.

Position 3 hurdle fences in the middle and on the outside of each circuit.

Split the group into 2 teams of 11 and line them up behind the starting point of each circuit.

Position a coach with a supply of balls behind each mini-goal.

The players must complete a series of mobility and coordination movements at each station, as follows:

• Station 1 – Perform some “warm-up” movements.

• Station 2 – Slalom between the poles.

• Station 3 – Jump over the poles.

• Station 4 – Take quick single steps into each hoop.

At the end, the coach throws a ball in that the players must pass into the mini-goal with 1 touch.

Before returning to the line, the players must perform a mobility exercise over or around the hurdles.

Coaches should vary their delivery to encourage the players to practise a diverse range of finishing techniques.

Remove the hoops and have the players contest a 1v1 at the end. The player who receives the ball must score in one of the mini-goals.

Players must first focus on the quality of their movement and then increase the intensity.

By maintaining a relaxed posture and avoiding flat-footedness, players can adapt to different deliveries from the coaches.

If a player fails to retrieve the ball before their opponent, they must defend by closing angles down and forcing the attacker onto one side.

When doing this, the defender must position themselves to be able to read a pass into the mini-goal and block it.

Mark out a 25x35m pitch.

Put a full-size goal and a goalkeeper at one end.

Position 2 mini-goals at the opposite end.

Mark out a halfway line and split the pitch in 2 lengthwise.

Arrange the group into an orange team of 6 (plus the goalkeeper) and a blue team of 5.

The ball starts with the goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper and 4 orange players must pass between one another on one side.

3 blue players must press and try to win the ball.

An orange player must wait on the other side of the pitch.

2 blue players and 1 orange player must wait in the other half.

If the orange team successfully make 4 passes, they must switch the ball to the other side of the pitch and create a 3v2 attack in the other half and drive towards the mini-goals.

If the blue team win the ball, 1 player can join the attack to create a 4v4 on one side of the pitch.

Rotate players so that they practise all aspects of the game.

When the orange team complete 4 passes, they can play directly to the striker in the other half and attempt to score in the mini-goals.

Teams should press intelligently by not rushing into the press; care should be taken not to leave 2 opposition players free to receive the ball.

Defenders should position themselves between 2 opposing players to cut off passing lines quickly and apply immediate pressure on players receiving the ball.

The defending team should force opposition players wide where possible, as this limits their chances of playing through successfully.

Players should look for triggers, such as poor touches, to press aggressively and win the ball closer to goal.

Use 1 full-size pitch.

Position a full-size goal on the edge of 1 penalty area and the other on the goal line.

Put a goalkeeper in each goal.

Split the outfield players into teams of 10.

The orange team must defend in a 4-3-3 formation.

The blue team must build the play in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

In the orange team’s half, mark out a defensive line 25m from the halfway line.

In the blue team’s half, mark out a defensive line 15m from the halfway line.

Split the pitch in 2 lengthwise.

The ball always starts with the blue team on one side of the pitch in their half.

The teams must play an 8v7 on the chosen side of the pitch, with the orange team having a numerical advantage.

Once the blue team complete 6 consecutive passes, an extra blue player can enter the chosen side of the pitch and the team can progress beyond the orange team’s defensive line.

If the blue team attack on the same side of the pitch and score, 2 points are won.

If the blue team switch play first before scoring, only 1 point is scored.

If the orange team win the ball, they must attack and try to score.

If they attack and score from the same side where they win the ball, 2 points are won.

If they switch the ball to the other side first and score, 1 point is gained.

The defending team cannot defend behind their defensive line when the ball is inside the mid-block area.

After a set period, the orange team start with the ball and build the play.

Once possession is lost, the defending team must try to recover the ball quickly before the opposition can settle on it or play out of pressure.

If the ball cannot be won back immediately, the defending team must focus on maintaining a compact structure and organisation.

Due to the numerical advantage, defending players must press aggressively and step out when the opposition make passes.

By making the team in possession play out wide, the defending team can force more errors and limit space centrally.

Players behind the initial presser must decide which player to follow and mark tightly to prevent the opposition from playing through.

Against defensive blocks that prioritise central channels, spaces for the attacking team will typically be in wide areas.