12-2 4v4 plus 2 possession game: Protecting central areas - FIFA Training Centre

The wheel symbolises the game, with each segment representing a specific aspect of it. The lightly coloured segments are included in the practice. The darkly coloured segments are emphasised. Lastly, the grey segments represent areas that are not practised.

The intention: What is practised?
The objective of this possession game is for the out-of-possession team to work on forming and maintaining a 2-2 defensive structure that prevents the opposition from playing through central areas. The members of the out-of-possession unit must stay close to one another and create compactness around the opposition’s central players, shutting off the passing lanes into them. As the opposition move the ball and central players move within their shape, the defending team must constantly restructure their 2-2 formation to ensure that spaces do not appear. If the ball is played into central areas, the defending team can quickly step onto the opposing player to win the ball. The in-possession team are asked to create width and depth to give the unit multiple passing options and to draw opposition players in.

The scale: For whom is this relevant?
This possession game revolves around the unit scale, focusing on denying and protecting central areas by setting up in a particular shape. The exercise is relevant to central players when out of possession. Inside the 2-2 shape, the front two players operate as attackers and must decide whether to press or shut off passes played into players operating in central areas, such as the number 6 or 8. The two deeper-lying defenders operate as central midfielders or centre-backs who must stay close to each other and be ready to jump out to press receiving players within their shape. The players on the in-possession team are tasked with building and progressing play from the goalkeeper, with the centre-backs or full-backs providing width and a number 6 operating centrally inside the out-of-possession team’s shape.

The practice type: How is the practice designed?
The exercise involves a possession game that is designed to enhance a defending team’s efficiency in preventing the opposition playing through them. The reduced size of the exercise area, the limited player numbers and the defensive structure allow out-of-possession players to focus fully on their defensive actions and organisation, with a view to stopping the opposition from playing passes through them. The opposition’s numerical advantage ensures that the out-of-possession team face a challenge to retain their shape, and it forces the defenders to make decisions about marking and pressing. Awarding teams a point each time they switch play through the centre encourages both units to be bolder in their actions. The exercise is position-specific for both the in- and out-of-possession teams.

Basic sequence: The 4 out-of-possession players set up in a 2-2 structure and try to block off passes through central areas.

Organisation

Mark out a 18m x 25m exercise area.
Set up a 4v4 (blues v. oranges) inside the exercise area.
Assign a neutral player (grey) and a goalkeeper (green).
Place the neutral player inside the exercise area and the goalkeeper at one of the ends of the exercise area.
Arrange the out-of-possession team in a 2-2 structure.
Ask the in-possession team to spread out to make the exercise area bigger.

Explanation

The exercise starts with the goalkeeper in possession.

The goalkeeper plays the ball to a player on the in-possession team.
The in-possession team look to retain possession with the support of the neutral player.
They are awarded a point if they build play and progress the ball through the centre to the team member positioned at the opposite end of the exercise area to the goalkeeper.
If the out-of-possession team win the ball, the teams swap roles immediately.

Key coaching points

(1/3) Bad practice: the defending players should avoid allowing passes into the central attacking player positioned inside the defensive structure by allowing too much space between one another.

(2/3) Good practice: by keeping a compact defensive structure, the defending team can force the opponent to play wide and deny any progression through central areas.

(3/3) Encourage the attacking team players to position themselves inside the defending team's structure to force the defending players to work on keeping a compact shape and deny any progression through the centre.

Roles of coaches

First coach: leads the exercise and coaches the out-of-possession team to keep their shape.
Second coach: feeds balls into the goalkeeper from their position on the outside of the exercise area and encourages both sets of players.
Third coach: encourages both sets of players.