DEFENDING IN WIDE AREAS

SESSION TITLE: DEFENDING IN WIDE AREAS

OBJECTIVES

•  defending wide areas of the pitch
• coaching wide players to defend

ORGANISATION

Pitch sectioned as shown below
In the initial practice, the wide players on the outside are not involved.
If the ball is forced out via the section marked with cones, the wide players return it to the end zone for a restart from the feeder.

INSTRUCTIONS
To start the defending No 6 attempts a pass to No 11 which is intercepted by attacking  No 2
When the play breaks down,  the game will restart at the end zone via the feeder.
The defending team score by running over the end zone with the ball under control while the attacking team score in the main goal

KEY COACHING POINTS

• Switch on in negative transition
• Recovery runs to get goal side
• Back four narrow off and prepare to defend balls in behind
• Full backs and wide midfielders in position to go wide to apply pressure
• Trapping pocket action of wide back and wide midfielder
• Centre backs mark and track forwards in front of them
• Man marking vs zonal marking?
• Holding midfielders narrow off, slide and screen to prevent forwards receiving ball to feet
• No 10 drop in to offer defensive support but also in a position to receive a quick ball or get up to support lone forward in event of positive transition
• Players on toes ready to intercept
• Discuss when to press and when not to press
• Delay to allow teammates get behind the ball
• Do the ‘ostrich’ to check other defenders positions
• Communication among each other should be clear and specific – show inside, outside, delay, press etc
• Make play predictable
• Reinforce the principles of defending – delay, depth, compactness, cover/balance and control/restraint.

PROGRESSION / VARIATIONS

Progress to the phase of play practice by removing the section and introducing the wide players who didn’t partake in the initial practice.

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