Holding the Line

Learning how to Press and hold a line with the back 4

Purpose:	The purpose of this session is to learn how to limit the attacking space when not in possession. This session will progress thru such that the defense will learn where to hold and how to hold. Proper communication is vitally important and begins with the keeper. A team that can hold their line and limit space makes its job easier as the opponent has less room to create.
Equipment:	Cones, pinnies, balls.
Progression:	Warm-up: Basic Warm ups of stretching, shuffling moving and so forth to prepare the body. The games: The games and exercises are all very similar but progress thru by adding players. The session starts with no pressure on the back line and no forwards. As the ball moves they move. Forwards are added into the mix and the balls are served in. Now clearing becomes an important part of this session, as does keeper communication especially when off his line. The games builds into 2v1 in the flanks which promotes serves. The focus should be on the movement of the line here, not the allies. The game then builds into full field play and the idea practiced with limits should be applied in full play.
Coaching Points:	The coaching points are listed within the session. It is important for players to understand spacing and where to be holding, when holding a line. When holding a line gaps exists within the defense between the back line and the keeper. The keeper must be sure of how much ground he can cover and still be able to win the ball either on the serve or on the thru ball. Communication is a must. When off his line the fullbacks must know so they can recover to protect the line and their keeper. When holding the keeper must communicate often to keep his players organized. After all the keeper can see the whole field so he should run the show. When the ball is on the top of the eighteen, holding the twelve is appropriate: this allows the defense space to see the ball yet they are not too high whereas any ball can sneak thru for a breakaway. The space behind is appropriate as the keeper should be able to control 12 yards of space. As the ball changes it is up to the coach an players to determine proper places to hold to limit the attack. This takes some time and is different for all teams based on speed, quickness and talent. Stepping and dropping are often difficult. To make life easier using the numbers 6, 12, 18 and D will help the defense. These refer to the yard makers on the field with the 12 being the PK line and D being the semicircle on top of the 18. Additionally using the work step and drop can adjust line. For instance “18! drop” would mean to hold the 17. “18 drop! Drop!” would mean to hold the 16. “18, step! Step!” would mean to hold the 20. Any sort of communication will work as long as it is consistent.

THE SESSION

Activity	Setup
Brazilian Warm up Form the players into two lines. Have them go thru a series of jogging, shuffling, and dynamic stretching routines This will prepare the body for the game mentally and physically.
4+K v 0 The back four and the keeper position themselves on the top of the six yard box. The keeper must organize his back four and tell them where to step and where to hold. Coaching Points: Keeper- organize your line. Use 6, 12, 18, D and ball to communicate where to hold. For holding the 18-use 18, 18!, 18!, Be loud, decisive. The keeper will wan to have the players hold a comfortable line where he can reasonably get to any ball served in behind the line or any thru ball. Yell “Keepers!”-when off the line.	As the ball moves, the keeper organizes his team. Her the ball is negative so 18!, 18!, 18! Would be appropriate to step and hold the 18.

4+K v 0 plus serves The point here is to get the keeper comfortable with winning the serves and the back line moving and holding a line. As the defenders recover they should be opening up to see the ball and have hips open to the field to clear the ball high and wide Coaching Points: Keeper- communicate! If the keeper comes off line-communicate! When the keeper comes off the line the outside fullbacks should protect the endline, The center fullbacks should protect the keepers front and rear side.	The ball is played from the middle third into the attacking third. “Drop! Drop!, hold 6! 6! would be appropriate here.

4+K v 2 forwards + attacking midfielder The game is the same but now forwards and an attacking central midfielder are added into the game. The central midfielder can only shoot on layoffs from the forwards. Balls can now be moved freely along the unmarked players on the outside. As the ball moves the back line steps and holds. When appropriate a ball is served in or played into the forwards who are going to goal. Coaching Points Coaching Points Keeper- organize your line, hold the line Track the runners Keeper-get off your line to win the ball. When the ball is targeted to the forwards, provide pressure cover and balance. The line should be less flat when a forward is in possession.	As the ball moves, the keeper organizes his team. Her the ball is negative so 18!, 18!, 18! Would be appropriate to step and hold the 18.

(2v1 in a 12x30) + (4+K v 3 in a 44x30) The players who were not being pressured on the flanks now form two games of 2v1 in the flanks. As the ball moves within the flanks the back line is either stepping, dropping or holding on instructions from the keeper. Limiting touches in the flanks, restricting touches to only one part of the grid (ie. outside of the 18 or inside of the 18) can add dimensions to this game as well. Score three points for a goal on the attack. Defense earns one point for a clear that is high and wide if they win before the ball touches the ground and before an attacker gets a touch. One point is earned for a save by the keeper without the ball touching the ground. Play one side at a time, then play the other side after the defense has reorganized. Coaching Points Keeper- organize your line, hold the line As the ball moves in the flanks either step or drop with the ball. When stepping, get a look to see if there is anyone behind you. Keeper-can you control the space between your backline and the net?

(2v1 in a 12x30) + (5+K v 3 in a 44x30) The game is the same but now allow an outside fullback to release to pressure the serves in the flanks. This will at times force the negative pass which will allow the back line to press. Allow passes from the flanks into the attacking midfielder as well. This will promote normal game play. Still play only one side at a time. Coaching Points All of the above On a negative ball, STEP! Take away attacking space.

8 v 6 + 2 T/N in a 70x60 Remove the flank cones and play. The game is seven defenders versus 6 attackers. Attackers are going to goal for points. Defenders are playing to Targets for points on clears. Targets can also be used as neutrals for the attacking team such as fullbacks would work when attacking. Progress to: 8 defenders by adding a second central midfielder. Progress to 8v8: by having the neutrals become attackers. Coaching Points Can the team translate training into game play? Can you take away attacking space and hold a solid line?