3-05-3 10v10 team game: 1v1 defensive marking - 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?
This team game aims to improve a team’s ability to mark and press 1v1 from the opposition’s goal kick. The exercise focuses specifically on team elements, such as organising the defensive shape when pressing and the 1v1 marking structure required to prevent the opposition from progressing the ball. The members of the team are asked to work cohesively and to understand their marking responsibilities and when they should step up to press. By communicating constantly, a team can ensure that opposing players are always marked and that quick decisions are made about which player goes out to press the ball carrier and who provides cover or picks up unmarked players to prevent them receiving the ball in space.

The scale: For whom is this relevant?
This team game revolves around the team level, focusing on 1v1 pressing to win the ball when the opposition are building play. The exercise is particularly relevant to a team that implement an aggressive press in the opposition’s half. As the teams operate in 3-3-3 systems, the press may be initiated with the front three deciding who presses the goalkeeper and centre-back when they have the ball, with midfielders looking to follow the opposition’s number 6 and shut off passing options in central areas. Other midfielders must be aware of opposing players dropping and floating and either press them or pass them on. Lastly, the three defenders must decide whether to follow players into midfield or pass them onto team-mates.

The practice type: How is the practice designed?
The exercise involves a team game that is contested in a reduced-sized exercise area in which play is concentrated in one team’s defensive third. The reduced size of the exercise area allows the defending team to stay compact, enabling them to maintain good distances between each another and to focus on passing opposing players on. The offside rule applies, which helps defenders to be more aggressive in their marking and defensive actions, such as pushing up closer to the midfield to deny opposing players space between the lines during the opposition’s build-up. The game is position-specific, with players asked to carry out the marking responsibilities in line with their position. For example, midfielders should track opposing players who drop to receive the ball.

10v10 game on a reduced playing area.

Organistaion

Mark out a 40m x 30m exercise area.
Position a full-size goal at either end of the exercise area.
Divide the exercise area into 3 zones widthways, as per the graphic above.
Split the group into 2 teams of 10 (oranges and blues).
Place a goalkeeper in each goal.
Set both teams up in a 3-3-3 formation.

Explanation

The exercise starts with one of the goalkeepers in possession.
The in-possession team try to build up and score in the opposition’s goal.
The out-of-possession team try to win the ball. If they do so, the teams swap roles.
If a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play, the exercise restarts with a goalkeeper building play up.
The offside rule applies for both teams in the final third.
Each team come together to discuss challenges, solutions and areas for improvement for a minute before sharing their feedback with a coach. Following this brief discussion, the exercise resumes.

Key coaching points

(1/4) 1v1 marking requires short distances between the defenders and the attacker, especially when marking the ball-carrier. Following the same logic, defenders away from the ball should not forget to provide the right defensive balance and cover.

(2/4) Players should get close to their mark as soon as they see the opponent's intention to play into their zone.

(3/4) Communication between the defenders, the defensive line as well as the goalkeeper will be key to organise the team and avoid situations like this where two players mark the same player opening space for the opponent to exploit.

(4/4) When playing against individual marking, players of the team in possession should look to both create and exploit space as opponents are dragged out of position.

Roles of coaches

• First coach: leads the exercise and explains the objectives.

• Second coach: listens to one of the team’s feedback.

• Third coach: listens to the other team’s feedback.