WORLD CLASS COACHING
Scoring Goals from High Pressure Defending
By Luca Bertolini
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part Two
EXERCISE - 4V2 + GK
EXERCISE - 6V2 + GK
EXERCISE - 6V3 + GK
EXERCISE - 6V6 + GK SSG
Exercise 1: 4 v 2 with goalkeeper
Set-up: 40x28 yards pitch, 6 players, 1 goalkeeper, 1 mini goal, two colors bibs, cones and balls
Sequence: The coach passes the ball toward one of the two defenders inside the middle space of the marked area (the limit of the penalty area). As the receiver dribbles out of the penalty area and inside the outer part of the rectangular area, three of the four players of the attacking team can run inside, to put pressure and try to win the possession.
If the ball is recovered, the black team can counterattack, building up fast moves; the scores are valid only if all of the players have touched the ball and one of them is placed in this side of the marked area.
If the defenders are able to keep the possession of the ball against the pressure of the forwards, they play a 2 v 1 duel against the lower black player, to score in the mini goal; the goal is valid only after a triangle pass between them before shooting.
Coaching points:
• Pressure against the first receiver
• Close the pass lines
• Fast build up of the moves
Exercise 2: 6 v 2 with goalkeeper
Set-up: 40x28 yards pitch, 8 players, 1 goalkeeper, 1 mini goal, two colors bibs, cones and balls
Sequence: The coach passes the ball toward one of the two defenders inside the middle space of the marked area (the limit of the penalty area).
As the receiver dribbles out of the penalty area and inside the outer part of the rectangular area, all the four players (1+3) of the attacking team can run inside to put pressure and try to win the possession. They must double team the defender with possession, recover the ball and score after a double support wall pass play with the outside midfielders. All of the players have to touch the ball. The goal’s worth double if the attacking players finish shooting from the middle area.
If the defenders are able to keep the possession after the first pass, they play a 2 v 2 against the midfielders to score in the mini goals.
Coaching points:
• Pressure against the first receiver through a double team
• Close the pass lines
• Fast build up of the moves
Exercise 3: 6 v 3 with goalkeeper
Set-up: 40x28 yards pitch, 9 players, 1 goalkeeper, 1 mini goal, two colors bibs, cones and balls
Sequence: The coach passes the ball toward one of the two defenders inside the middle space of the marked area (the limit of the penalty area).
As the receiver dribbles out of the penalty area and inside the outer part of the rectangular area, all the four players (1+3) of the attacking team can run inside to put pressure and try to win the possession; they must double team the defender with possession.
They must recover the ball and score after a double support wall pass play with the outside midfielders; the scores are valid if all the players have touched the ball. The goal’s worth double if they can finish shooting from the farther area from the goal of the marked pitch.
If the defenders are able to keep the possession after the first pass, they play a 3 v 2 against the midfielders to score in the mini goals. The goal’s worth double if they score after a wall pass combination and a last one toward the running third man.
Coaching points:
• Pressure against the first receiver through a double team
• Close the pass lines
• Fast build up of the moves
• Fast pass combinations to finish in numerical advantage 3 v 2
Exercise 4: 6 v 6 with goalkeepers SSG
Set-up: 44x32 yards pitch, 12 players, 2 goalkeepers, 2 goals, two colors bibs, cones and balls
Two teams are placed inside a small-sided pitch in a 1-2-3-1 formation. Both the goalkeepers are in possession of the ball. The pitch is divided into five parts: three center areas and two flanks.
Sequence: One of the goalkeepers kicks the ball inside the middle third of the center area; as the possession is ensured, the ball has to be sent on the flank to finish.
The first move has to be finished by an outside and two center forwards, playing a 2 v 2 duel inside the final third. At the same time, the other goalkeeper passes the ball inside the opposite flank to one the players of the defending team to create a 3 v 3 duel inside the other final third.
If the black team, which is now defending, recovers the possession, counterattacks can be carried out, playing through the middle area of the center part of the pitch first. Then, cross pass to finish from the same flank of the prior move has to be played toward the 3 v 2 duel inside the final third.
Coaching points:
• Reactive speed to win the wandering and the second times of the balls
• Close the pass lines
• Speed to attack the final thirds to counterattack
• Balance to defend outnumbered
