Part II - Position Specific Strength Training: Defensive Actions to Attacking Transition

By Anthony Hazelwood

This is a continuation of activities described in Part I 

The Midfielders: (Section D): 3 vs. 4: Defending in numerical inferiority.

Area Size: 18 yd. x 23 yd.
Intervals: 8.
Activity Time – First Part: 1 minute.
Rest between total activity time (first part and second part): 45 Seconds.
Intensity: High.

1. The three midfielders in the 1-4-3-3 system begin defending in the designated area against four attackers.
2. Five passes completed between either team is one point.
3. When team of three is defending, high concentration and aggressive behaviors needs to be demonstrated to win the ball back.
4. When the defending three win the ball, constant support, quick ball movement and concentration is important.

Coaching Points

1. Space between defenders is compact (6 to 8 yd. between)
2. Communication
3. Intense actions
4. Close down angles
5. Constant support and movement
6. Make play predictable

The reason for numerical inferiority, on a fitness level, is to promote faster defensive work rate and greater concentration for the mental-emotional levels.

The Wingers (Section E and F): 1 vs. 1 dribbling over line: Agility cones and change of direction.

Area Size: 16 yd. x 12 yd.
Intervals: 8
Activity Time – First Part: 1 minute.
Rest between complete activity time (first and second part): 45 Seconds.
Intensity: High.

The Defending Winger begins by:

1. Running in between agility cones and then performs change of direction.
2. When reaching the last cone, the defender must touch the cone with their hands and then make a recovery run to the middle of the pitch to stop the attacking player from scoring on the dribble.
3. The attacking player is waiting at their designated cone (or assign fitness exercise as well) and initiates their dribble when the defending player touches the last cone with their hand.
4. If the defender takes the ball away, it is a point and a second point is awarded for scoring by dribbling over their end line (manipulate as needed).

Coaching Points

• Recovery run and exercises are high intense
• Eye on the ball
• Proper defensive stance
• Go after the ball when attacker does not have full control of it

The FW (Section G): 1 vs. 1 dribbling over the line activity: Changes of direction.

Area Size: 16 yd. by 12 yd.
Intervals: 8.
Activity Time – First Part: 1 minute.
Rest between completed activity time (first and second part): 45 Seconds.
Intensity: High.

1. The FW sidesteps diagonally, while facing opponent, toward designated top of the triangle cone and then backpedals to the cone opposite to the starting point of triangle (different movements can be performed as needed).
2. When FW reaches the opposite side, he/she touches the cone with their hand and performs a recovery run.
3. The attacker begins to run with ball to score a point on end line by dribbling when defender touches cone with hands.
4. FW makes a recovery run to confront defender and deny opponent penetration and tries to win and score on their own end.

Coaching Points

• Recovery run and exercises are high intense
• Eye on the ball
• Proper defensive stance
• Go after the ball when attacker does not have full control of it

The Transition (Last 15 seconds of activity): 11 vs. 0 Shadow Play.

Area Size: Full Pitch
Intervals: 8
Activity Time (Second segment): 15 seconds
Rest between completed activity times (first and second segment): 45 Seconds
Intensity: High

1. When the first minute is complete, coach sends ball into the field and yells transition!
2. A player possesses the ball and the team in a 1-4-3-3 transitions to attack and plays an 11 vs. 0 shadow play to goal.
3. The team has 15 seconds or less to score a goal.
4. Passing patterns are left to the ideas of the coach.
5. Progressively, defenders may be added as needed.

By Anthony Hazelwood

Current Seattle Sounders Academy Performance Coach with previous European academy coaching experience as an assistant fitness and strength/conditioning soccer coach with Levante U.D. (2013-2014) and Getafe SAD CF (2015-2016) in Valencia and Madrid, Spain respectively. A USSF “A” licensed coach with a BSc in Physical Education and an MSc in Sports Training and Nutrition.