Possession Play in Deep Defense - Building the Ball Out
DRILL OBJECTIVE(S)
DEFENDERS RECOVERING TO GET BALL BEHIND DEEP DEFENCE, AND BUILDING BALL OUT OF BACKFIELD UNDER PRESSURE
PLAYERS
13+ FIELD PLAYERS, 3 GKS
SPACE
HALF FIELD
EQUIPMENT
10+ BALLS
EXPLANATION:
All players initially start outside the 23m line - 7 X’s (team in their defensive half) and 6 O’s (team in attacking half). The numbers can change according to what formation your team plays, but the team in their defensive half should have one extra player.
Coach initiates play by throwing the ball into the field, in a location where one of the X’s will get the ball first. X’s targets are to build the ball out to either of 2 goals at the half-way line on the sides.
As soon as the ball is thrown into play, all players are live. X’s recover to create width and passing options. O’s pressure the ball as a unit to try to win the ball by tackling or intercepting.
Play out for 1-2 minutes.
VARIATIONS
At the Train to Train Level, start with one target defensive player inside his own circle (see diagram 2) to give an advantage to X’s in building the ball out.
To work on transition play, coach throws the ball into a contested space for X and O to compete for possession.
COACHING POINTS:
If X’s move early to get into position, they should be able to use the numerical advantage to build the ball out with simple passes to the targets. Obviously it is important for the closest X to the ball to win clean possession. But it is critical that the off-ball X’s sprint early to establish good position for a simple pass. The side backs for X should drop far enough that they can turn their feet and face upfield, so if they receive a lateral possession pass they are in good position to carry and eliminate, or make a forward elimination pass if possible.
EVALUATION:
The focus of this drill is to teach good off-ball movement to make possession passes simple and high-percentage in the back third of the field. The pressing team (O) should be positioned so that X’s have some success passing the ball out, but cannot do it easily. The coach can adjust starting positions for both teams accordingly to make it easier or more difficult as necessary. Coach can also throw the ball into more difficult positions for X’s to recover the ball.
