Play Like Italy – Organised Defending
1. Playing in Channels
- Players are paired up with 1 football between them
- The players will work down their channel only
- The player at the back faces in front in a 1 v 1 situation
- ‘Shadow play only’ – the attacker takes small touches forwards, the defender reacts by delaying the situation and moving backwards in a good defensive shape
- When the players reach their end lane, roles are reversed and repeated until intervention
PROGRESSION (limited pressure)
- TRIGGER, STAB, TACKLE – on coach’s whistle, the defending player must recognize when to tackle and when to delay – the stab tackle can only happen after the whistle – a successful tackle is rewarded with a point
Full Pressure
- 1 v 1 full pressure. Attacking player attempts to stop the ball on the end line; defending player looks to spoil, intercept and counter attack
Key Tips
- Primary/leg/foot closest to the ball – secondary leg slightly behind and to the side
- Soft, low knees, head position over the knee
- Plenty of foot contacts with the floor to improve running, twisting reaction.
TRIGGERS TO TACKLE:
- Bad touch by attacker
- Attacks foot is not connected to the ball
- During step over actions
2. Man Marking / Intercepting
- Players are split into 4’s or 5’s
- 1 player plays a firm pass in the direction of the mannequin / pole (attacker)
- The defender who is stood goal side, looks to intercept the ball with the front leg
- Players rotate
- Coach ensures players swap feet to intercept to encourage technical balance
KEY TIP
- Reach with primary foot, and contact ball with the outside surface. Arm comes across attacker
Progression
- Take away mannequin / Pole and play a live defender in a 1 v 1 situation
3. Players in Control
- 2 teams
- Players are in control as to how many players they send out onto the pitch per go
- A team can send 1 player out or all of the players
- If a team score with just 1 of their players out they would score maximum points (e.g. 6) if they send out all their players and score they would score a basic minimum of 1 point
- First team to 15 points wins
- Players must run around the pole on the nearest corner before they enter the pitch
- Coach serves the ball into the middle of the pitch
Key Tips
- Encourage the team that has more defenders to regain the ball back at its highest point (early regain)
- Encourage the team that is defending to DELAY and choose the option of a late regain if they have fewer numbers than the attackers. This will give this team a chance to turnover the ball and counter attack
