IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
DEFENDINGAGAINSTCOUNTER-ATTACKS
Ben Garner CRYSTAL PALACE
Ben Garner is Academy Coach at Crystal Palace, and for the past six years has been responsible for bringing through a new wave of talent at the Selhurst Park club.
The recent development of stars such as John Bostock and Victor Moses has been a shot in the arm for supporters of the south London club, given Palace’s challenging financial situation. It is hoped the latest breed can find their feet quickly on the pitch as the npower Championship club look to avoid dropping into npower League One for next season.
Garner, 30, was formerly on the books at Crystal Palace, but an ankle injury at the age of 19 ended his playing career. He has coached six different age groups at the club, from Under- 11s upwards.
that blues have an 8v5 counter-attacking overload.
If a blue player scores in the goal, the ball goes out of play, or whites get back to regain possession, the game reverts back to its original shape and play restarts with the keeper.
What are the key things to look for technically/ tactically?
Defenders must be asking themselves how they can affect the ball, how they drop, delay, apply pressure and recover.
Prioritising the danger is also important – for instance, knowing when to force an attacking player wide and away from goal.
How would you put this into a game situation?
We use a goal at each end of a 70x50 yard area, with a keeper and four defenders taking on three attackers in each half. One midfielder on each team works both halves.
“The ability to make the correct countering defensive decisions is a core part of being a successful defender.”
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
The keeper plays out releasing a defender into the attacking half, creating a 5v5 scenario, including the two midfielders.
On transitions, there is always a 3v3 situation in the defending half plus counter-attacking players, so all the factors worked on come into play in this free-flowing game.
4 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
Whites recover defensive positions and a tackle is made
1 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
In the game situation play builds from the back, with the right full back pressing into the opposition half to create a 5v5
2 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
Blue makes a tackle - a ball into the opposition half now creates a 3v3 counter-attack
Elite Soccer: The Collectors’ Series Volume 1 67
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