IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
DEFENSIVE SHAPE (MIDFIELD FOUR)
Paul Stephenson BLACKPOOL
Paul Stephenson has committed almost 30 years of his life to professional football having signed pro forms with Newcastle United as an 18-year-old back in 1986. He went on to star for ‘the Toon’, Millwall, Gillingham, Brentford, York City and Hartlepool United before hanging up his boots in 2003.
Since then, the 46-year- old has undertaken a number of youth-, first-team and development coaching roles, as well as assistant and caretaker manager positions at clubs including Hartlepool, Norwich City and Huddersfield Town. After a spell at Accrington Stanley he joined Sky Bet Championship side Blackpool in December.
through to its midfield four. We can also reverse the process, namely by feeding into the four to pass to the target. If this happens the target then feeds to the other team who attempt the same in the other direction.
4v4 plus opposed targets (4)
We can progress again so that the target men on each side are now marshalled by an opposition defender, who closes down and presses.
Small-sided game (5)
We now play in the space between the penalty areas – this is full-width, 8v8. Still maintaining the gridded area, target men are now on opposition teams, and the ambition now is to feed into a lone attacker. When that happens, midfielders can move in to support a break into the attacking zone ending with a shot at goal.
What are the key things to look out for?
“We are looking for midfield players out of possession to close down, with speed, timing and smart angles of approach.”
13 JANUARY 2015
We are looking for midfield players out of possession to close down, with speed, timing and smart angles of approach. Distances in relation to the player being pressed and supporting players in behind must be observed, with excellent communication between team mates a must at all times.
Progressing again, we add a defender to press target men and those players in front of him, for added match realism
4
5
In the small-sided game set-up, target players are assigned to teams, with those behind the midfield boxes having to thread across the area into a lone frontman. When this player holds the ball up, supporting midfielders can support to produce an effort on goal
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