DEALING WITH
DIRECT PLAY
AG E P H AS E : U 1 7 +
SESSION PLAN
SESSION OVERVIEW DEALING WITH DIRECT PLAY
LEVEL PART 3: 8v8 CONDITIONED GAME KEY
• U17-First team • This game is played on a pitch split in half, and the in- Ball movement
possession team can only make five passes in their own
half – this encourages the ball to be played forward Player movement
SESSION OBJECTIVES quickly. without the ball
• This practice has an added element of the defensive
To develop players’ ability to defend against line moving based on what they are comfortable with. Player movement
direct play by: With more space in behind, the in-possession team may with the ball
decide to exploit space behind early.
• Placing them in conditioned games that encourage • Reading cues from the player on the ball is important to
direct play gaining success in this practice.
• Creating situations in which players have multiple
Players
repetitions of defending against longer balls
PART 1: DIRECT-PLAY WAVE GAME Cones
• This is a wave game in which the coach has the
Flat marker
opportunity to introduce some of the key technical and
tactical components of defending against direct play.
• It requires three sets of two outfield players and two
goalkeepers. Cones with
flat marker
PART 2: 7v7 +2 NO-MIDDLE-THIRD
GAME Goal
• This game is played on a pitch split into thirds, and the
ball is not allowed to touch the floor in the middle third Mini-goal
to encourage direct play.
• The practice allows the defending team to get pressure
on the ball, which should work to make the longer
passes less accurate. With more players on the pitch, Mannequin Pole
organisation between players will be tested more.
Football
AGE PHASE: U17+
DIRECT-PLAY WAVE GAME DEALING WITH DIRECT PLAY
FUNCTION 20 metres
• This is a wave game. Two 20m x 20m boxes are set up
20m apart.
• The game starts with a serving team – here, Team A –
playing the ball into the opposite box, where two teams
are playing against each other in a 2v2 scenario.
• The attacking team (Team B) attempts to score, while
the defending team (Team C) tries to clear the ball from
20 metres
A
A
the box.
• If Team B scores, they remain in that box and Team A
feeds another direct ball in to start another attack.
• If Team C manages to clear the ball from the box, they
then run to the other box to become the attacking
team against the now defending Team A. The ball is
then served by the team left in the other box – in this
example, Team B.
• This pattern continues for a set period of time.
DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE
• To progress, place a shot clock on when the ball enters
the box for the 2v2. This will increase the speed of play
in the 2v2.
B
B
C C
AGE PHASE: U17+
DIRECT-PLAY WAVE GAME DEALING WITH DIRECT PLAY
COACHING DETAIL:
TECHNICAL
READING CUES JUMPING EARLY
• Players should attempt to identify cues from the • If a defender has to compete in the air, they should
player striking the ball. This will allow them to position be encouraged to jump early. This should allow the
themselves to defend the direct pass. defender to get contact with the attacker and prevent
• Looking at the weight and distance of the touch away them from jumping, and also enable them to win the
from the in-possession player should give a clue of what first contact on the ball.
they are going to do. Looking at their hips will give an • If the jump is mistimed and the attacker cannot jump, it
indication of how they are likely to strike the ball and may still allow the ball to run through to the goalkeeper.
the trajectory of the ball.
STOP THE RUN
• As the ball is being struck, defenders can look to get
contact on the player they are marking to stop their run.
• Using their body, with subtle use of the arms to prevent
the attacker from running forward, will prevent them
from moving to where the ball will land. This will allow
the ball to run through to the goalkeeper or for the
sweeping defender to clear.
• This action will depend on how flat the ball has been hit.
The flatter the pass, the more chance the ball has
of running through.
SWEEPING
• If a defender has decided to try and stop the run on
a flatter pass, the second defender should attempt to
sweep in order to collect the ball and be able to clear
the ball from danger.
• Being in a good covering position as the ball is struck
will allow defenders to be successful in this action.
AGE PHASE: U17+
7v7 +2 NO-MIDDLE-THIRD GAME DEALING WITH DIRECT PLAY
FUNCTION
N A
• This is a 7v7 (including goalkeepers) +2 zoned A
game played on a 70m x 30m pitch split into thirds. B
The end thirds are both 25m x 30m, and the middle
third is 20m x 30m. B
• Each end zone is set up with a goalkeeper, a 3v3 and A
N
30 metres
a neutral player who plays with whichever team is in
B
possession.
• The middle zone contains a line of four mannequins and B
nothing else. No players are allowed in this zone.
• The game starts from one of the goalkeepers – in this A
example, for Team A. The attacking them then has to A B
move the ball to the final third without the ball touching B
the floor in the middle third. When the ball enters the A
final third, this team attempts to score – as shown in
the diagram.
• If the defensive team wins possession at any point, they 70 metres
become the attacking team and should attempt to do
exactly same.
• If a team scores, they are rewarded by restarting the
game from their goalkeeper.
DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE
• Limit the teams to a maximum of five passes in their
defensive third, to increase the number of direct balls
played in the practice.
• If a team is able to score within one pass of the ball
entering the final third, the goal is worth two points.
AGE PHASE: U17+
7v7 +2 NO-MIDDLE-THIRD GAME DEALING WITH DIRECT PLAY
COACHING DETAIL:
TECHNICAL
PRESSURE ON THE BALL CLOSING SPACE
• Defenders should be encouraged to get pressure on the • As the ball is being struck, players around the ball
player in possession, to prevent them having time and should start to close space. This will allow them to pick
space to make a good contact on longer passes. up any loose balls that are dropping from any defender
• Greater pressure on the ball will hopefully force winning the header.
misplaced passes that the defenders can collect. • This is really important for midfield players, who need
to start anticipating where the ball is going to drop.
READING CUES
• Players should attempt to identify cues from the CLEARANCES
player striking the ball. This will allow them to position • When the defender has assessed the flight of the ball,
themselves to defend the direct pass. clearances should be made away from danger areas.
• Looking at the weight and distance of the touch away This will depend on where the attackers are.
from the in-possession player will give a clue of what • Players should be scanning before the ball is struck to
they are going to do. Looking at their hips will give an understand where space is to clear the ball. Ideally, the
indication of how they are likely to strike the ball and ball is hit with height and distance away from goal.
the trajectory of the ball.
AGE PHASE: U17+
8v8 CONDITIONED GAME DEALING WITH DIRECT PLAY
FUNCTION
A
• This is a conditioned small-sided game played on a
pitch that is 80m x 40m and split into halves. B
• Team A is set up in a 1-2-4-1 formation, and Team B
A
in a 1-2-2-3 formation. Play starts with the Team A
goalkeeper, as shown. A B B
• The in-possession team is only able to make five
40 metres
passes in their own half before the ball has to enter the B A
opposition half. This will encourage longer passes into
the opposition half.
A B B
• Otherwise, normal football rules apply.
A
B
DEVELOPING THE PRACTICE
A
• Progress so that any goals that come from a headed
assist, and so probably from direct play, are worth
double points.
80 metres
AGE PHASE: U17+
8v8 CONDITIONED GAME DEALING WITH DIRECT PLAY
COACHING DETAIL:
TECHNICAL
PRESSURE ON THE BALL DEFENDER BODY SHAPE
• Defenders should be encouraged to get pressure on the • As play is building in deeper areas of the pitch, the
player in possession, to prevent them from having time defenders should have a side-on body shape. This will
and space to make a good contact on longer passes. allow them to drop quickly if a ball is played over the
• Greater pressure on the ball will hopefully force top, or move forward quickly to intercept the ball.
misplaced passes that the defenders can collect. • If a defender’s body shape is not correct, they will be
susceptible to balls over the top that can exploit space
READING CUES behind quickly, as they will take time to turn.
• Players should attempt to identify cues from the
player striking the ball. This will allow them to position
themselves to defend the direct pass.
• Looking at the weight and distance of the touch away
from the in-possession player will give a clue of what
they are going to do.
HEIGHT OF BACK LINE
• The height of the back line will need to be constantly
assessed throughout this practice.
• If there is high pressure on the ball, this may give the
defenders an opportunity to start playing higher and be
involved in the pressing situations.
• If the ball-carrier has time and space to pick their head
up, the defensive line now need to start thinking about
dropping and protecting the space in behind.
• The goalkeeper should be in touch with the defenders
to keep the space behind the defensive line compact.
AGE PHASE: U17+
