Defending with Four
Defending with Four
This session is designed to improve the coordination, communication, and movement of the back four when defending in and around their own penalty area.
For this session, we use half of a full field.
The session is designed for players U14 and Up.
The equipment needed is balls, cones, pinnies (two colors), two large goals and three small goals.
The total session is about 90 minutes long.
The second activity, 4v4 Group Rotation, is designed to introduce and reinforce the fundamentals of defending as a back four. For the first 10 minutes, run the activity as a walk-through. Keep the tempo slow and deliberate, emphasizing the movement and coordination of the back four and the goalkeeper. Focus on clear communication, proper body shape, and collective shifting as a unit.
Dynamic Warm Up
Organization:
Area: 20y x 10y
Create two rows of players who work in pairs during the exercise.
Players jog around the cone and back, followed by performing a variety of dynamic movements, such as heel kicks, knee lifts, side steps, karaoke steps, skipping (include arm movements), backwards jogging and running, bounding steps, plant and cuts and so forth.
When working with couples add shoulder bumps, circling around partner.
Finish with several sprints of varying intensity.
Variation: Finish the warmup with a tag game.
Coaching Points:
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Proper execution of the movements.
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Focus and concentration.
4v4, Group Rotation
Set Up:
There are ten players set up in the attacking third, playing 4v4. The Feeder begins play with a pass to any of the attackers, and they go to goal from there. The defenders are not allowed to tackle, but they are allowed to steal passes and pick up loose balls. When they do win the ball, the defenders can score on the two small goals placed out on the flanks. When a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play, the Feeder re-starts play with the attacking team.
Coaching Points:
1. Always pressure the ball. The first priority is to stop the first attacker.
2. Contain the play, move your feet, and do not get beat 1v1.
3. The goalkeeper is the boss. He must talk constantly and send players to the ball.
Progressions:
1. Progress to 6v4.
Focus on the movement of the back four. They should pressure but not win the ball.
The attackers should mainly focus on moving the ball from side to side quickly to make the defenders move. Don't focus on creating chances.
Add a second midfielder to make it 5v4+GK.
6v4, Defending the Box
Set Up:
There are 12 players set up in the attacking third, playing 6v4. The Feeder begins play with a pass in to any one of the six attackers. From there, the attackers look to finish on goal, and the defenders look to delay, disrupt or destroy the play. If the defenders win the ball, they can score on the two small goals placed out on the flanks. When a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play, the Feeder re-starts play with the next ball.
Coaching Points:
1. Always pressure the player with the ball.
2. Be patient and contain the play. Do not stick a foot in.
3. Cover the most dangerous players first. Mark tight on those closest to the ball.
Progressions:
1. Progress to 7v5.
Focus on the movement of the back four.
Movement side to side, but also move up as a unit when the ball is played away from the goal.
The goalkeeper should be communicating constantly with the defenders.
Variation: the goalkeeper starts the activity with distributing the ball to one of the attacking midfielders.
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.
Focus on the movement of the back four.
Movement side to side, but also move up as a unit when the ball is played away from the goal.
The goalkeeper should be communicating constantly with the defenders.
After winning the ball, can we find the attacker (9) quickly?
Team Cool Down - Bayer Leverkusen
The recovery routine starts immediately at the end of the training session. Players complete a relaxed 5 to10 minute jog. The players mix in soccer-specific dynamic movements like light high knees, butt kicks, side shuffles, carioca, walking lunges with rotation, and controlled hamstring sweeps to loosen hips and legs used during play.
After the jog, the players go through a short static stretching circle focusing on hamstrings, quads, calves, hip flexors, groin, and glutes, followed by light lower-back and shoulder stretches to promote recovery, reduce soreness, and help players mentally transition out of the session.
When done, all the players and coaches bring it, call out the team chant, fist bump each other and thank each other fora great session.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIelRyg3Ou8