PLAYING OUT FROM THE BACK FOUR

SESSION TITLE: PLAYING OUT FROM THE BACK FOUR

OBJECTIVES

• Coach defenders and midfielders to build up play from the back four
• coach a team to build up play from the back four
• coach a team to transfer possession successful  to penetration and finishing phase

ORGANISATION

Pitch size: 2/3 length of standard pitch with full width
Team formations: 1-4-2-1 vs 6 players arranged in various formation to simulate how opposition team play (3-3, 4-2, 5-1, 3-1-2, 3-2-1 etc).

• Initially start with 5v1 i.e GK and back four vs 1 opposition player.
• Then progress by adding 1 opposition player to play 5v2
• Then add one holding midfielder and two more opposition players to play 6v4
• Finally, add the other holding midfielder and central attacking midfielder and 2 more opposition for an 8v6

Restrictions: play will always restart from the goalkeeper when the ball goes out anywhere on the pitch.

INSTRUCTIONS

Start positions: 1) goal kick from the GK 2) yellow 10 tries to play into 9 but intercepted by red GK

How will the teams score points: red score by passing or running the ball through the gate goals while yellow score in the main goal

KEY COACHING POINTS

1. GK place ball in central area of 6-yard box so can play any direction
2. Centre-backs split towards the edge of the box to receive (drop alongside the edge of the 6 yard box if under heavy press.
3. Holding midfielder either push up to give central defenders space if pressed by a lone forward or one holding midfielder drop in between the central defenders to offer a passing option if pressed by two forwards while the other plays off the shoulder of opposition/in the half space.
4. Full backs push high and wide beyond opposition first line of press/ edge of entry to the middle third of the pitch.
5. Central attacking midfielder plays between the midfield and defensive line of opposition and looks to support the lone forward quickly if needed.
6. The wide attacking midfielders and the central forward look to push high and wide to stretch the opposition back line and be options for a quick penetrative pass from deep.
7. On the recovery of the ball, the goalkeeper first option is to play the vertical pass into the run of 7,9 or 11 for quick penetration where available.
8. If not available he can look to skip lines by playing into either 10 or 8 if they are in a position to receive, control and turn without undue pressure
9. If none available, then we may have to play out with a short pass through the centre backs
10. If centre backs and the holding midfielder who dropped in are pressed by three forwards, GK looks to play into full backs, the other holding playmaker or the central attacking midfielder.
11. Goalkeeper selection of the best option to penetrate
12. Switch play side to side if you unable to go forward
13. Support diamonds and triangles everywhere – deep central diamond (GK, 4,5 and 6), deep wide diamond (4 or 5 with 6,8 and 3 or 2)
14. Piston (diagonal) movement of holding midfielders when central defenders are in possession
15. Central attacking movement in between the lines and to support the long forward in case a knock on or dump pass results
16. Communication between defenders and midfielders – turn, play, switch, wall pass, man on

PROGRESSION / VARIATIONS

Progress from a pattern of play to a phase of play practice

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