Defensive Organisation Defending in Central and Wide Areas, Tight and Compact, with Depth

Assessment for Learning

Learning Objective: Success Criteria Key Factors to Consider I can..
Recover and Retrieval: How far and where? Who takes control? Pressure the Ball in Numbers: Nearest man, cover and support, close down gap and options to play forward, force back, Pressure, stop turn, force away from play, intercept and attack weak areas of opposition Concentrate Areas: Make play predictable, close down quickly, Angle and speed of approach, force play in one direction , into congestion, communicate, angle and distance of support, compactness, Tracking: Who? What how far? Recovery: Make up ground as ball travels as quickly as possible Press Early or Late? Anticipate the play and force predictability, ball side, goal side, delay play, deny space Mark the Player or Space: Second phase player aware of supporting opposition and passing options.

Defending in Central and Wide Areas, Tight and Compact, with Depth Outcomes: To understand when to keep ball in front of play maintaining shape and balance, according to formation.
To understand when to close down space and compact central areas early to prevent ball being played forward as a unit.

To understand how to zonal press in units and support 1st, 2nd and 3rd phase defense, defending in layers not lines.
To take advantage of outnumbering the opposition where possible, behind the ball deep into middle third.

Decision Making
Coach the player nearest to ball? what do you see? What is happening? What are the options to keep play simple and regain possession early? Where is the support? Recover and Retrieval Pressure the Ball in Numbers Concentrate Areas Tracking Recovery Press Early or Late? Mark the Player or Space

Defensive Organisation
GROW Key Questions
What outcome would you like to achieve? Will that be a real value to you and team? How can you work together and prevent the ball from being played forward? Why are you wanting to achieve this? Who is involved? What is happening at the moment? How do you know this is accurate? When do you pressure the ball and who? Where do you force the play? Why? How can your team mates support the player ? How can the cover players adjust? How can you reduce passing opportunities? What do you do when you gain possession? What does compactness look like? Where do you force the play? Why? What areas are you trying to cover? What could you do to change the situation? Agree on how you will react once you lose possession? Agree on how you will react once you gain possession? When might you mark the man or space? Who might be able to help? How can you ensure compactness? Chose an option to act on? Rate your team and personal performance out of 10 What support do you need now? What steps are needed to reach success? Can you create a checklist to summarise the key factors?

Coaching Notes (Delivery/ Coaching Approach)

Part 1: Setting the Scene Recap the learning from previous session/ game and discuss areas for development. Introduce topic, co-construct and clarify the learning . Goal set and discuss desired outcome depending on the theme. Outline the rules and conditions. Part 2: Foundation Stage Players have 10 mins to achieve goals set. Using the tactics board, the coach will step in and encourage the payers to discuss how they may improve their score. Is the tempo realistic and game specific? Part 3: Fundamental Stage: Players are encouraged to analyse and discuss areas of success using video and score on white board. How could reach their desired goals? Introduce more numbers and increase the pitch size to challenge players and encourage decision making. Reflect and further goal set as a team and personally. Part 4: The Beautiful Game Concepts and goals are applied through SSG or 11 v 11. Players are encouraged to reassess performance. Coach will step in to reinforce good practice and encourage critical thinking around the theme. Part 5: Revisit the Objectives Reflect and feedback on team and personal performance. Points round up. Coach feed forward , re-affirm players understanding and goal set for game / next training.

Principle:
Zonal Pressing and Man Marking Tight and Compact Objectives to reach by the team: Zonal press in units and support 1st, 2nd and 3rd phase defense to deny ball and space opportunity. Defend in layers not lines, tight when defending in dangerous areas. Players behind the ball deep into middle third pressing early , outnumbering and looking to catch the opposition off guard. Be prepared to counter attack at any given opportunity. Close down space and compact central areas early to prevent ball being played forward as a unit. Show the opposition inside. Keep ball in front of play as often as possible If pressure on ball, press high, man mark. If no pressure on ball, drop and mark the space to prevent long ball moving forward. Anticipate the pass and look to intercept early, concentrate and overload wide areas to force inside play. Nearest players close ball down. Supporting players in and around the ball. Keep shape and balance, according to formation, concentrate and maintain involvement at all times.

Sub Principles
Disciplined and Focused: Body on line, balanced in layers not lines, in units denying the opposition to move forward, tightly covering quick, skillful opponents. Look to put opponent in an offside position. Yet be mindful of the long ball. Assess the situation. Aggressive: Press, move as the ball moves and be patient, attackers work back and congest to win the ball in free areas. Surprise the opponent by closing down early, together, creating predictable play. Cover most dangerous player/s. Full backs and wingers move into a central position as ball moves to opposite side of pitch Assertive and Anticipate: Turn over ball quickly to regain possession. Holding player in midfield to limit development options of the creative, quick opposition player. Common Sense Football: Pace and strong to avoid being turned, back four. Force play to the opposing player who is less likely to keep possession (weaker player) or in an unfavoured position. Attackers are first line of defense. Communicate: Avoid being pulled out of central areas and keep shape, forcing the opposition in a direction in which it is difficult to work constructively or lose possession. Committed: Keep play in front, attackers, tip of diamond, anchor and second phase support in rotation and prevent the opponent to move forward unhindered. Force play sideways or back. Players behind the ball as quickly as possible. Delay play to give time to set up attacking transition.

Learning Styles to Support the Delivery and Coaching Approach

Essential Characteristics
Command All decisions made by the coach. Athletes do as they are told Whole group responds to one. Practice Most decisions made by the coach Athletes Make some decisions Practice time is set by the coach and assists with feedback Reciprocal Planned by coach, but athletes coach each other Work in pairs, one instructor, one as pupil Clear criteria, usually on card, responsibility transferred by athletes Self-check Planned by coach, executed by performer Performers check own performance Evaluation based on coachs planning Inclusion Planned by coach Individuals check their own performance, starting at their own level and progressing accordingly Guided Discovery Coach plans a target , and systematically leads athletes to discover it Questioning by the coach is intrinsic Selection of appropriate steps is critical involving redirection if needed Problem Solving Coach sets a challenge in groups. Players are encouraged to share ideas and stimulate thinking Players contribute to decision making at all stages Individual Athletes design the task and plan the programme Coach monitors and advises Learner Initiatives Coach in not involved Self-Coaching The learner is both coach and pupil

Objectives
Command Conformity to a single standard of performance Efficiency in the use of time Safety and discipline Practice To improve a skill and help athletes to judge their level of performance Reciprocal To improve ability to observe, analyse, synthesise and listen To develop ability to provide feedback To heighten awareness of self and others Self-check To develop self-reliance in the performer Improve honesty and objectivity about the performance To heighten performers awareness of own limitations Inclusion To include all, and exclude none To accommodate individual differences To enter and advance at own level, learning to match aspiration with performance Guided Discovery To engage learners in a convergent process of relevant discovery To enhance problem solving abilities Problem Solving To enhance problem solving abilities To develop insights into the structure of the activity through search for solution, enhancing ability to verify solution and promote self confidence. Individual To encourage independent planning and evaluation under guidance To reveal the level of understanding and encourage persistence, resilience and self-confidence Learner Initiatives Coach in not involved until the evaluation stage Self-Coaching Work fully independently

Communication
Thinking Constantly:
What? How? Where? When? Why?

Bringing it all Together 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Use few words Avoid jargon Make sure everyone understands Use simple language Avoid criticism, stay positive Make feedback qualitative and quantitative 7. Select effective position 8. Use TGI and points system to support success 9. Give time and allow players to decision make 10. Step back from the group and empower the players 11. Be player centred 12. Use GROW questions to establish learning framework

What you need to say? How you can say it so that it is most effective ? Where you can best position yourself in relation to the group so that everyone gets the point, and understands expectations and goals set? When will you apply different teaching and learning tools to empower the players and engage their Habits of Mind? Why will you stop the session and give support, feedback and feed forward? Give a point system to indicate success, such as 8/10 or 2/10 rather than good or bad. This will give clarity to the quality of performance.

Theme: Defending in Central and Wide Areas, Tight and Compact

Playing Model: 4-5-1 Functional Play 3 v 3 Starting Position 3v3 with a target zone at each end of a 20 x 20 grid

Rules and Conditions 1. Close down as a unit 2. 5 pts for playing the gap between two players 3. 10 pts if ball reaches end zone 4. 5 pts for 5 passes 5. Target man can move in end zone only. 6. Only target man can go into end zones

Theme: Defending in Central and Wide Areas, Tight and Compact

Playing Model: 4-5-1 Functional Play 5 v 5

Rules and Conditions 1. Close down as a unit 2. 5 pts for playing the gap between two players. 3. 10 pts if ball reaches end zone 4. 5 pts for 5 passes. 5. Target man can move in end zone only 6. Nearest man closes ball down.

Starting Position
5v5 with a target zone at each end of middle third. Striker is man marked Zonal Pressure

Theme: Defending in Central and Wide Areas, Tight and Compact

Playing Model: 4-5-1 Skill Practice 2 v 1 Zonal

End Zone 1 2 3 4

End Zone
Rules and Conditions 1. 2 v 1 2. All players must stay in zone. Brown team must play 2 v 1. Only I defender in each zone at any one time. If opposition win ball, both players attack. 3. Intercept = 10 pts 4. Run over end zone = 10pts.. 5. Progress to all players allowed in all zones Starting Position 2 v 1 zonal with a target zone at each end of a 10 x 30 grid Player can attack zone or pass .

Theme: Defending in Central and Wide Areas, Tight and Compact

Playing Model: 4-5-1 Functional Play 4 v 6 Zonal

Server 2

End Zone 3 4 Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

End Zone
Rules and Conditions 1. Yellow team can go anywhere. 2. Players can go anywhere 3. Brown team must play 1 v 4, 3 v 4 and 2 v 4 depending on ball position. 4. All players must still stay in contention and move with play (at least 3 or 4 channels covered) 5. Intercept / run over end zone = 10pts. 6. Move out of zone = -5pts Starting Position 4 v 6 zonal with a target area at each end of a 10 x 30 grid Player can attack zone or pass .

Theme: Defending in Central and Wide Areas, Tight and Compact

Playing Model: 4-5-1 Functional Play 7 v 6 Starting Position 7 v 6 with 3 zones in middle third Zonal Pressure Only 2 of the 3 middle zones can be occupied at any one time when out of possession

Rules and Conditions 1. At least two of the three middle zones must be covered when out of possession. 2. Disperse and cover all three zone when in possession. 3. -5 pts if opposition run through gates on half way line. 4. 10 pts = 2 out of 3 zones covered 5. 10 pts = Intercept and press play 6. Midfield must stay in central zone. Attacker must stay out of zone.

Central Zone

Theme: Defending in Central and Wide Areas, Tight and Compact Playing Model: 4-5-1 v 4-4-2 Starting Position GK gains possession and plays to wide midfielder Team: 11v11 game Scenario 2-1 down with 15 mins to go Opposition have dominated the midfield for most of the game and have changed to a 4-4 -2. How can you outnumber the opposition and work to close down the space in central areas and win possession? Points Differential: 11v11 More than 3 areas of the middle third occupied on defense = - 20 pts Regain possession in middle third resulting in a forward secure move = 10 pts Turn opposition back 4 = 10pts Compactness in 2 of 3 zones = 10pts Regain Possession 10 pts Turn B4 10 pts Stay in compact mode Two out of three zones covered 10 pts Three areas covered on Defense -20pts

Round 1

Round 2
Round 3

Theme: Defending in Central and Wide Areas, Tight and Compact Playing Model: 4-5-1 v 4-4-2 Starting Position CB gains possession and plays into a central player Team: 11v11 game Scenario 2-1 down with 15 mins to go Opposition have dominated the midfield for most of the game and have changed to a 4-4 -2. How can you outnumber the opposition and work to close down the space in central areas and win possession? Points Differential: 11v11 More than 3 areas of the middle third occupied on defense = - 20 pts Regain possession in middle third resulting in a forward secure move = 10 pts Turn opposition back 4 = 10pts Compactness in 2 of 3 zones = 10pts Regain Possession 10 pts Turn B4 10 pts Stay in compact mode Two out of three zones covered 10 pts Three areas covered on Defense -20pts

Round 1

Round 2
Round 3

Theme: Defending in Central and Wide Areas, Tight and Compact Playing Model: 4-5-1 v 4-4-2 Starting Position FB gains possession and plays into a wide player Team: 11v11 game Scenario 2-1 down with 15 mins to go Opposition have dominated the midfield for most of the game and have changed to a 4-4 -2. How can you outnumber the opposition and work to close down the space in central areas and win possession? Points Differential: 11v11 More than 3 areas of the middle third occupied on defense = - 20 pts Regain possession in middle third resulting in a forward secure move = 10 pts Turn opposition back 4 = 10pts Compactness in 2 of 3 zones = 10pts Regain Possession 10 pts Turn B4 10 pts Stay in compact mode Two out of three zones covered 10 pts Three areas covered on Defense -20pts

Round 1

Round 2
Round 3