8v8 Game - Defending with Four

Organization: 

Area: Half field, five to eight yards less than full width.

Create two teams and play seven plus a goalkeeper.  One team plays in a 1-4-2-1 formation, the other team in a 1-3-1-3 formation. The team to focus on is the team with the 4 defenders. 

Game: Keep track of the score.

Variations: 

1. Add a player and play in a 1-3-2-3 formation

Focus Points:

Role of the four defenders:

• Movement; sideways, pushing up and dropping off. Move on the pass. 
• Win the ball back at the right moment. 
• Communication across the line. Constant information, also from the goalkeeper.
• Body shape open to see both ball and central threats.
• Midfielders supporting the four defenders.

Attacking:

• Make the field large.
• Value the ball but playing deep goes over playing wide. 
• Support the attacker on the ball. Make creative runs. 
• Try to beat opponent in 1v1s or with quick combination plays
• Create scoring chances and score. 

Transition:

• After losing the ball, win it back as quickly as possible. Five Second Rule. 
• After winning the ball, explode, go forward and try to create a scoring c hance within 10 seconds.