Football Association of Ireland

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Attacking Defending

Attacking with Goalkeeper, Back 4 and Midfield 1 with Transition to Defend

Phase of Play practice designed to improve players Technical and Tactical Awareness when playing out from the back.

Key objectives

Starting positions of Center Backs – edge of 18 yard box, Full backs pushed high up near touchline
Encourage Defenders if they have space to travel with the ball (as per diagram)
Midfielder looking to receive possession opened out and in position to play forward
Quality and selection of pass
First touch and body shape (opened looking to play forward)
Angles and distance of support – make sure Midfielder plays at angles and at a good distance
Awareness and communication
Transition to Defend, if Yellow Teams scores through target goals or lose the ball in build up, can they win it back as quickly as possible (Pressing)

Organisation

Area: Full Width of the pitch and 1 Gate positioned at the top of Center circle
In Yellow: Goalkeeper + 4 Defenders + 1 Midfielder v in Blue 1 Midfielder + 3 Attackers
1 Target Blue player standing behind cones
Goalkeeper starts the play at all times with the ball in the middle of 6 yard box
Yellow team looking to build from the back and score through the gate to the Blue target player, that then Attack Yellows goal, Yellow Team must quickly Transition to Defend

Session details

Attacking
Defending

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Session plan

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