IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
BOLTON WANDERERS OwenCoyle
Preparing the back four
Overview:
This is a purely defensive session in which we structure the back four against opposing attacks with different formations. It is an excellent session when preparing for matchday.
It is game realistic and enables us to prepare for the forthcoming opposition’s formation by practicing against two or three forwards, or a lone frontman.
When I joined Bolton in January last season we had no shut outs in the Premier League.
We specifically worked on this session in training and went on to record five shut outs in the remainder of the season which resulted in a positive finish, keeping us in the Premier League.
PREPARING THE BACK FOUR
SETUP AREA
Half pitch EQUIPMENT
Goal, balls NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 12
6 attackers (4 midfielders 2 forwards) 5 defenders (2 centre-backs 2 full-backs 1 defensive midfielder) 1 goalkeeper
What do I get the players to do?
We play 6v5 in the attackers’ favour. The number of players can be altered depending on specific team formations, but at Bolton we work on a back four, adding in one defensive midfielder to make five defensive players.
Serve a ball to any of the attacking players. Defenders approach and tackle, attempting to win possession. When possession is gained, either a point is won automatically, or the defender has to play the ball between two poles placed four metres apart on either side of the pitch.
The ball then goes back to the coach.
“Make sure every defensive player is clear in their role and their decision- making.”
54 Elite Soccer: The Collectors’ Series Volume 1 3 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
Server restarts play. Defenders should be aware of different attacking formations
www.elitesoccercoaching.net 1 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
Attackers receive the ball and move forward
2 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
Defenders winning the ball score a point
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93