MIDFIELDERS RECOVERY RUN AND DEFENSIVE COMPACTNESS

SESSION TITLE: MIDFIELDERS RECOVERY RUN AND DEFENSIVE COMPACTNESS

OBJECTIVES

• coach midfielders to recover and perform defensive duties
• coach compactness in midfield
• coach midfield to restrict opposition time and space

ORGANISATION

Full width of the pitch with 2/3 length of the pitch. The area between the half way line and the 18-yard line is divided into 4 horizontal and 5 vertical sections and marked out with flat disks.
In the initial practice, play a 11 v 9. The defending team is arranged in a 1-4-2-3-1 while the attacking team play in a 3-4-2.

INSTRUCTIONS

Play starts with the defending team attacking the end zone and the No 8 attempts a pass to the No 9 which is intercepted by Attacking No 5.  The game is restarted from the end zone by a feeder.
The defending team score by running the ball under control over the end zone while the attacking team score in the main goal.

KEY COACHING POINTS

• Nearest man applies the delay – pressure to win or prevent forward play in order to give team mates opportunity to recover
• Recovery run of all other players into the defensive triangle
• Get goal side of the ball and behind your man so you can see man and ball
• Discuss recovery run of the 3 attacking midfielders when possession is lost – where, how
• Wide attacking midfielders recover to support full back in dealing with opposition winger while also mindful of the run of opposition full back
• Central attacking midfielder recovers to screen passes into the central midfield players
• Holding midfielders provide defensive screen for the back four
• Wide attacking midfielders recover centrally to support the screen but also in a position to go out wide to deal with a switch of play to the full back.
• Force play inside into traffic when pressing high up the pitch
• Preventing forward passes is the ultimate goal
• Individual defending techniques – side on, get fast arrive slow, don’t over commit, on toes, focus on the ball, goal side defending, stay on feet.
• Slide as a unit to the side of the pitch the ball is at in order to compact the pitch
• Anticipation marking
• Communication
• When to press when not to press
• Press together when pressing

DIFFERENT PICTURES

• Pinching effect by full back and wide attacking midfielder
• Slide and screen in response to ball circulation
• Cover and balance lines
• Defensive depth (distances between units and lines)

PROGRESSION / VARIATIONS

Introduce the other centre back for the attacking team and proceed to the phase of play.