Session: DO.022 
 Age: 12-Adlt |
 Intensity: Medium |
 Time: 20 mins |
 Positions: All |
 Players: 22 |
 Area: Full Pitch |
Exercise Objectives
- Developing a team’s ability to prevent forward play.
- Develop full team defending technique.
- Develop individual defending technique.
Organisation
Diagram 1. Set-Up Arrangement
Set-Up
- Full Field with 2 full size goals.
- Red vs. Blue team (Coached Team).
- 2 'No Press' zones from the edge of the D area of the 18 yrd box to the goal line.
- Offside rule applies.
- 2 Starting Positions (Indicated by Yellow cones).
Instructions
- The Blue Team (Coached Team) beginning from Starting Point 1 (SP1) has an attacking midfield player dribble and hit a weak shot into the GK to start play.
- Starting position 2 (SP2) would be to have a Blue outside midfielder mishit a cross into the GK.
- Once the GK has possession the Red back 4 spread and look to receive a rolled (thrown) pass from the Red GK.
- Only the receiving touch of the Red defender the Blue team is no allowed to enter the ‘No Press’ zone and defend. Note: For more advanced teams the ‘No Press’ zone may not be required.
- On the ball exiting the field play, restart from the assigned starting position.
Scoring
- 1 goal = Scoring on the full size goal normal.
Coaching Points
- Defending players need to switch on and re-organize when there is a change of possession.
- Force passes sideways or backwards. Defenders do not have to win the ball back immediately. Just prevent forward play.
- Furthest forward attackers (on defending team) have to decide whether they can win the ball back and press or delay.
- When a team presses all players must press together.
- Furthest player forward on realizing they are unable to win the ball back (intercept) provides a barrier and delays for other to track back and get behind the ball.
- Recovery runs should be towards your own goal.
- Mark goal side and ball side if possible.
- Pressing need to become tighter as our opponents approach our half way line. Designated line for heavy pressure is sometimes arranged.
- Markers (defenders) around 30 yrds of the ball should be tight (i.e. anticipation marking) to prevent easy passing options and force any potential pass into a marked player.
- Defenders should position their body to be able to see the ball and their mark at all times.
- Patience to win the ball back.
- Pressing can also be initiated off specific events pre-arranged by the team. (i.e. press on a bad touch, on a throw in the defending half, when a specific player or position receives a pass, etc).
- Concentration and compact team space.
- Pre-arranged lines of confrontation can be set by a team.
- Cover and support in defending unit.
- Defending unit should slide with the ball.
- Clear communication is key to organization.
Diagram 2. Defending Team Can Enter the 'No Press' Zone on the Defenders First Touch.
Progressions
- Play without a structured started (Starting Position) but still include the two 'No Press' Zones.
- Remove the 'No Press' Zones and allow free play.
Variations
- With the Structured Start: To develop an understanding preventing forward passing in the midfield allow the attacking team to have 1 free unopposed pass from the 'No Press' Zone into a teammate before before active defending can start.