Organisation Pitch 55 yds x 70 yds or box to box by 55 yds. 9 v 9 Each team has three defenders, three in midfield and two up front. You can include an offside line or use a linesman. Let the players play for about two minutes to get used to their positions and responsibilities. Here we are coaching the blues.

Starting position 1

Start your session with a central midfielder playing a bad pass to the oppositions right back. Ask the defender to take a touch out of his feet and play to the opposite goalkeeper. Your first coaching point after the right back has played the ball should be compacting play by pushing up. Give one of the players the responsibility to call the line and show them how far you want them to push up.

Starting position 2

From the goalkeeper, get the forwards to drop off so the Keeper can play it short to one of his defenders. Now you can coach the responsibilities of the two forwards. I want to make play predictable so I can compact the defence where the ball is likely to go. To the nearest forward to the ball "can you cut off the pass back to the Keeper or the central defender?". "Show me a run so you can get on the full backs shoulder preventing a pass back to the central defender or the Keeper". Here you can bring out some of the technical points, travel as the ball is traveling, curve your run, speed and angle of approach, gap between legs, get low down, on tips of toes, don't get too tight too soon, show him down the line, etc.

The second forward is going to be our outlet for a counter attack. Can you fill the gap between the central defender, the wide fullback and the two midfield players. If he plays it short then maybe you can nick it if not be in space ready for the ball.

With the same starting position now coach the midfield unit. The first forward pressurising the ball and denying the back pass is your trigger to move across and deny passes into the forwards. Slide across to deny them space and to make them play into our compacted area. Can we screen balls into the forwards feet by giving the correct angle and distance of support. Here a couple of technical points can be brought out.

How far should the midfield players be apart? Close enough so the ball played along the ground can be cut out and far enough apart to cover as much space as possible. Here player A cannot pass between players 4, 6 and 7 his only options are a high wide pass or a pass into midfield. How close to the ball should the midfield players be? Look for the midfield players to support the pressure by killing the space between them and the forwards and between them and the defence. They should be about 10-15 yards in front of the defence and in a position to challenge the midfielder on their first touch , to make a spoil or an interception. Distance will depend on the position of the ball and the pitch. What should be the body positions of the players? Players shouldn't just face the ball they should have an open body position to see the ball and the opposition. This is vital for the midfield player furthest from the ball because a player may exploit his blindside and get behind him. Here player 7 can see the ball and player B. What shape should the midfield have? The horseshoe shape gives the best cover. Player 7 is forward of player 6 because player A still cannot drill the ball between players 6 and 7 and he can be in a position to pressure the ball early if it is switched. Player 3 can cover anything played over him.

Now coach the defenders on their distance from the midfielder and the Keeper. The balance and shape should be a horseshoe with player 5 responsible for holding the line and pushing up. Player 3 should have an open body position and be aware of balls over the top. This can be done by assessing the player on the balls body shape:

• If he takes a touch out of his feet and opens up then he is likely to be playing a long ball either behind the defence or into the space wide. When his head goes down can you take a couple of steps back depending on team tactics. You may be asked to step up by player 5 who controls the line to catch someone offside.
• If his head goes down without opening out then he is likely to be playing a short ball to feet. Can we step up and compact play. Midfield players should also be aware of the player on the balls body shape so they may be prepared to nick it.

Defenders may be given marking men or positions which they should be aware of. Player 2's job may be to cut out any balls down the line or he may have to man to man mark player C with player 5 acting as a sweeper.

Finally from this starting position you must coach the Keeper. He must be close enough to the goal so not to be beaten by a shot and out far enough to sweep behind the defence. We want to compact the space behind the defence by the Keeper controlling it. He should also be aware of the player on the balls body shape so they are ready for a through ball and where he is going to play it.

Starting position 3

Blues forward takes on the full back and is dispossessed.

• Forwards can we try and win the ball back with our recovery line.
• Midfield players can we get into shape, slide across and balance the midfield. Can we screen off the forwards and cover the man on the ball. Look at their angles and distance of support and body shape as before.
• If the ball is played into midfield or a forwards feet can we intercept it, spoil it, drive the player back or cover space.
• Look at the defensive shape and distance and the Keepers position.

In wide positions if mistakes are made you may have to coach:

As the ball is played to the wide man

Looking for:

• The full backs position. Get him in the right position to defend-move to close down the ball.
• Is there a likelihood of a pass to the winger.

• Can he play behind me
• Can he have it in front of me
• Is he checking play
• Are you too tight or too loose.

• Can I intercept
• If not can you spoil
• Close down properly.
• What pace is on the ball

• Make sure he doesn't beat you on the first touch. Don't close down too close or too fast or he will nick it past you.
• Beware of give and go with supporting players
• Body shape- is he going around me.
• Position of centre backs and strikers.

• Balance. Does he show which way to play. If playing infield can you cut the line out. Angle of approach should stop him playing down the line.
• After 1st touch get into position. Split legs, knees bent, focus on the ball and ready to shift feet one way or another.

• Get in position
• Gap between legs, get the stance right.
• Get down and stay down, resist putting first foot forward.
• Is he too tight too soon.
• Too loose so that the winger can easily control the ball
• Look at the positioning of his feet etc.
• Pressure cutting off line-angle of approach and patience.
• If he keeps it be patient
• Get your right foot level with the ball so he can't go inside

• Show where you want him to go and make him go by getting there early
• Back off, back off until you get support.
• Track him down the line
• Try to sneak a glance
• Don't take pressure off the ball
• Anticipate waht is likely to happen
• If he plays it and runs make sure he doesn't get it back
• If he comes inside deny him entry into the box.

Recovery runs. Can you challenge, mark another attacker or prevent the player running inside towards goal. Your run should be in a line with the near post if you are out wide and not at the wide man if he is about to cross and you can't get there. If you run in a line towards the near post then you can prevent him coming inside and maybe you can block the cross.

Defending the cross and tracking the wide man

When tracking the wide man try to match his stride pattern so when he pulls his leg back to cross you can extend your outside leg, so you can become as large a block as possible. If your back is turned and you cannot see the ball look into the wide mans eyes to see where he is going. You don't have to watch the ball you can keep up with him and find the ball as it arrives. When defending crosses it is important to mark the near post area. Player 2 gets in a position 1 yd ahead of the near post. This gives the Keeper more reaction time than if player 2 runs at the post. Players 3 should take his position off player 2 and player 4 should take his position off player 3 about 3-4 yds apart. Other players should try to fill in the gaps between the defenders 3-5 yards out.

1 v 2 situations. Try to hold them up so players can get back and help. So don't dive in, keep your distance to give you time and ease toward the side of the ball. Open your body so you can see both attackers and the ball and listen to communication around you. From outside the box or wide positions can you force a shot knowing the Keeper is expecting it. Goalkeeper give communication early, be sure of your starting position, expect a shot and be aware of the through ball. Recovering defenders move towards the goal quickly and once you are goal side reassess your position. Can you make a challenge, mark another attacker or give support and cover. Look at their angle and distances from each other, blocks and recovery lines.

Starting position 4

A red midfield player plays the ball into the centre forwards feet.

Nearest defender pressurises and tries to spoil, intercept or push the forward back into the midfield players. Now look at the position of supporting players are they tight so if the forward turns he turns into them. Watch his body shape so you know which way he is going to turn and don't jump in. Midfield players can you win it or spoil his possession. If he runs parallel to the backline can we slide across, hold the line and if necessary push up.

In central positions if mistakes are made you may have to coach:

Pressing. Move quickly into a position within 2-3 yds of an opponent so you reduce his passing angles and space in which to operate. Make passing targets predictable by showing him one way and force technical and tactical errors by making opponents perform quicker than they are capable of. Supporting players must move into position quickly to reduce his decision making.

Stop him turning. Keep low, make sure you can see the ball, don't be too close so he turns you and challenge when he is half turned because he is most vulnerable then.

Jockeying. This involves the defenders intention to show or hold up the player. It takes into account the characteristics of the opponent if he is better on his right or left foot, does he like to come inside or is he likely to shoot. Is the play overloaded and how far are we from goal. It also involves limiting the operating choices and options as well as gaining control of the situation by having correct distances, angles and changes of position. The defender must be aware of possible, and speedy changes of position and balance. Making play predictable by patience and decision making. Decisions to push the opponents in which direction and why and to work the opponent and when to tackle.

Marking. Marking involves allowing an opponent to receive a pass under limited and controllable conditions as well as preventing him from receiving a pass. Preventing an opponent turning and discouraging the man on the ball to pass to the man your marking. You will have to be aware of marking distance, angle, stance and movement and changes of position as well as body shape. The marker will have to make the following decisions can I intercept and then create, spoil and recover, contain, push back and stick as well as tackle.

Closing down. This involves reading the situation, the player in possession, your immediate opponent and other attacking and defensive players movements. When preparing to close down you should focus on the ball and your opponent and get your stance, movement and readiness to react right. The timing of closing down is important you should be aware of when the pass is certain and as it is released so you can travel as the ball is traveling. The approach should be fast as the ball travels but slow on approach, where do you want to show him with your angle of approach and observation of the receiving players touch or movement. Don't jump in approach with controlled deceleration.

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