8vs8 Tactic game with an emphasis on defensive transition

The game discussed below, aims to improve the defensive behavior, focus on a very important aspect of modern football: the defensive transition. The field is half pitch, in which two teams compete against 8vs8 with specific configurations. There are 2 standard goalies and 4 small ‘’doors’’ in the field, which will help us to educate our players to rewind the aggressive mode, the immediate defensive thinking and reaction (phase alternation game-transition). The basic principle is the immediate reaction of the team that completed the attack, quickly close the goalkeeper's ability to feed a teammate, pass the ball drag through the 2 ‘doors’’, to prevent a counterattack. If the defensive team close the ‘’doors’’, the game continues as normal, with any choice by the goalkeeper. If however, found an open ‘’door’’ for the ball and passes to a teammate, then his team scores 1 point. The rest of the organization of the game, when it comes to defensive mode, follows the direction the coach has given, and based on the formation. E.g. assuming that our team follows the 1-4-2-3-1 blue team plays with 4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders and the 2 extreme midfielder (missing central attacker and central midfielder). The red team with the 2 extreme defenders, 2 defensive midfielder, the 3 attacking midfielder and central attacker (missing 2 central defenders).

Initial placement of the teams on the field. The game is normally carried out with 2 teams have specific goals and objectives.

The red team completes an aggressive energy with long cross, which saves the goalkeeper. The red team should immediately react to prevent the counterattack.

The blue team tries for a quickly counterattack and the goalkeeper finds the ‘’door’’ open for passes to a teammate, who moves fast to the space, as the red team did not have time to close the ‘’doors’’. The blue team scores 1 point.

In another case, a player of blue team, reacting quickly and correctly, manage to close the ‘’door’’ and steals the ball who goalkeeper tries to give to a teammate. The game continues normally.

The red team with a successful direct response, managed to shut the ‘’doors’’, so the game is conducted with a choice of goalkeeper. Variations: A. Positioning of players with different formation, at the discretion of the coach B. Play 6vs6 (blue team use 1-4-2 with 4 defenders and 2 defensive midfielders and 2 red team use 1-2-3-1 with 2defense midfielders, 3 attacking midfielders and 1 central attacker) C. 1 Goalie and 4 ‘’doors’’ for the group performs defensive operation (2 out of the goal area and 2 more small ‘’doors’’ at the ends of the central-transition in the first time outside goal area and in second time at the center-line for attacking team).

Vasilis Papadakis-UEFA A’ Coach

www.soccercoach.gr * www.vpsoccercoach.blogspot.gr * vvpapadakis@yahoo.gr