COACHING SESSION: PLAYING OUT OF DEFENCE: THE LONG PASS TO FEET
 

1) The ball is played long and high by the central defender to the feet of the forward.

2) He controls, dribbles forward and then plays the ball back to the central defender marking him.

3) As soon as the defender moves to play the ball forward, pressure is put on him by the 3 attacking players. All the forwards must be at least 15 metres from the defender before quickly closing him down.

4) Here, he successfully plays the ball into the forward's feet and the situation repeated with each defender and forward taking a turn to pass and receive respectively.

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Organisation:

- 8 defenders + 6 attackers split equally into two teams.
- Full-size Pitch
 
Variations:
- Play the ball in at different heights - chest, head and feet and angles.
- Add midfielders to make it more difficult for the defender to play the ball over them.
 
Tips:

- The ball should be accurately "clipped" over the midfield area into the feet of the attacker moving forward.
- The attackers must always be first to the ball and concentrate on their first-touch.
- The defenders should be goal-side when the pass is kicked and then put the receiving forward under realistic pressure.
- Each defender should be pressured when passing.

 

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