Competition · 11v11

U16 Session: Week 2 (1 of 2)

15-16 Year Olds · Week 2 (1 of 2)

Back-Four Defensive Shape

Team A Team B Goalkeeper Joker (+1, always plays for the team with the ball) Ball Cone Pass Dribble Run Shot
Activity 1 Technical Warm-Up
Half of an 11v11 field GK 3 5 4 2 6
GK and Back 4 Plus #6 in Shadow Play
Setup: TRAINING AREA = Half of an 11v11 field. 6v5 shadow play. Play with K, #2,3,4,5,6 in a K-4-1. White team passes the ball around, and "holds" the ball for 3 seconds before they pass to their teammates (Check for correct positioning of Red defenders)
Goal: White team circulates possession, holding the ball for 3 seconds before each pass to give red defenders time to adjust. Red team (K, #2,3,4,5,6 in a K-4-1 shape) must maintain correct defensive positioning in response to each ball movement. No live defending; the point is correct shape and positioning.

Coaching Points

  • Technical Application of Defensive pressure (angle, distance, speed)
  • Who: 1st defender on the ball, and 2nd, 3rd defenders in support
  • Where: Mid 1/3 - Def 1/3
  • When: As the ball is traveling to the opponent
  • Why: By increasing defensive pressure (angle, distance, speed) it will reduce the opposition's time to make decisions while in possession
Activity 2 Small-Sided Activity
60 yds 45 yds GK 3 2 10 6 5 4
7v6 Six Goal Game
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 60W x 45L. Place (2) cones on each endline 3 yards apart, making (6) goals per endline for teams to defend & attack. Red team play with K,#2,3,4,5,6,10. Teams score a goal by passing/shooting through a gate/goal.
Goal: Each team attacks the 3 gates on the opposite endline and defends the 3 gates on their own endline. Score a point by passing or shooting through any of your opponent's gates. Red plays with K, #2,3,4,5,6,10 and white plays 6 outfield.

Coaching Points

  • Technical Application of Defensive pressure (angle, distance, speed)
  • Who: 1st defender on the ball, and 2nd, 3rd defenders in support
  • Where: Mid 1/3 - Def 1/3
  • When: As the ball is traveling to the opponent
  • Why: By increasing defensive pressure (angle, distance, speed) it will reduce the opposition's time to make decisions while in possession
Activity 3 Expanded Small-Sided Activity
60 yds 80 yds GK 3 5 4 2 6 10 9
9v8 to 1 Large Goal and 2 Small Goals
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 60W x 80L. Set up (1) large goal on one end line, and on the opposite end play (2) cones 3 yards apart at each end of the endline making two goals. Red team play with K, #2,3,4,5,6,10,9. Red team attack small goals, white team attack large goal.
Goal: White team (9 players) attacks the large goal; red team (K, #2,3,4,5,6,10,9) attacks the 2 small cone goals on the opposite endline. Each team scores by passing or shooting the ball into their target goals.

Coaching Points

  • Technical Application of Defensive pressure (angle, distance, speed)
  • Who: 1st defender on the ball, and 2nd, 3rd defenders in support
  • Where: Mid 1/3 - Def 1/3
  • When: As the ball is traveling to the opponent
  • Why: By increasing defensive pressure (angle, distance, speed) it will reduce the opposition's time to make decisions while in possession
Activity 4 Game
Goal: Apply what you practiced today in a real game.

Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team. Reinforce all points above GK-3-2-3