4 v 4: Prevent Opponent Turning
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| x Good Supply | x 2 sets | x Good Supply | x 2 |
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X = 30 Yards Y = 20 Yards |
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None |
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| Key Factors | |||
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Pressuring Player
Supporting Player
Covering Player
Collectively
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4 v 4 small sided game, no set formations. To begin the ball is played into the opponents goalkeeper, play then becomes 'live'. |
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As there are only 3 outfield players each of them will automatically have a role to do. The closest defender to the ball will be the pressuring player. The closest defender to the pressuring defender is the supporting defender and the final player is the covering player.
Although not coaching the attackers, they should be encouraged to spread out and create space. Otherwise the session becomes to compact and too easy to defend against.
The Pressuring Player
Their job is to apply direct pressure to the ball. They should shut the man down as it travels to them or as the player moves into the designated area of the pitch. When shutting the player down they should cover the ground as quickly as possible but decelerate as they approach the player. By decelerating as they approach the ball means that the man in possession can not beat the defender with an easy touch, due to their momentum making it hard to turn or stop. Their approach should also be curved so that it cuts off the possibility of a forward pass in a given direction. Their body shape should be sideways on, knees bent, with their weight on the balls of their feet, while being within touching distance of the attacker. This body shape should be applied to one side of the ball. This means that the attacker can only move in one direction as the other way is blocked. The way to force the attacker is dependant on where the touchline and the supporting defenders are. By adopting such a body shape and position the following is achieved;
- Ease of movement.
- Attacker must keep focus on the ball and not be able to analyse what is occurring around them.
- Play is made predictable as the ball can only be moved in one direction. As a result the other defenders can adopt appropriate positions.
Once in position the defender should seek to stop the player from turning or advancing (if already turned). In order to achieve this they should be patient and do not over commit to any tackles. The longer the can hold up the attacker the more time the other defenders are given to set up and adopt the correct positions. The defender can also increase the amount of pressure applied to the attacker by feinting to tackle this ensures the attackers attention remains on the ball and not what is developing around them.
The Supporting Player
Their role is to offer direct support to the pressuring player and mark their attacker. They may not be required if the pressuring player is forcing their attacker into the touchline, but if they are required then the general supporting position they must adopt is:
- Close enough to the pressuring defender so that it creates a 2 v 1 situation and
not two 1 v 1 situations. - Slightly behind the pressuring defender and not square.
- Same body shape as the pressuring defender.
- An open body stance that allows them to see both the ball and their player.
If the pressuring defender is showing the attacker towards the touchline, then the touchline can act as the supporting defender. This means that the supporting defender can adopt a position infield.
The supporting defender must also communicate their decisions and actions to the pressuring defender so that they are fully aware and informed about what is happening and who is around them.
The Covering Player
They will be responsible for marking the final attacker (furthest one from the ball) while also providing their team mates with support and balance. Their positioning is greatly dependant on the positioning of the ball, the attackers and their team mates. There is not the requirement for them to be within touching distance of their player, but they should have an open body shape so that they can see their player and the ball. This position allows the covering player to retrieve any longer balls played over the top before the opposition can gather them, however they should ensure that they are close enough to their player to be able to become the pressuring player if they ball is transferred across. As with the supporting defender they should be clearly communicating and instructing their team mates, regarding their actions.
Players roles will change and adapt depending on where the ball is played and the runs the attackers make.
This is an example of one of the many soccer coaching sessions that are contained within the site. This coaching session is taken from the Small Sided Game section. These types of coaching session place players in a match situation with a reduced number of players per side, ranging from 4 v 4 to 9 v 9 (sometimes with one team experiencing an overload or underload),
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