Defensive support and Shifting
To attack a team that has already came back in shape and uses the counterattack as their way of attacking. High level of learning in vigilances and in offensive and defensive transitions.
Supports: Superiority/inferiority
Ball retention, body orientation (One of Guardiola’s biggest obsession) to receive the ball from the exterior neutral player who has advantage through the guided discovery learning method. The defensive anticipations will make the attackers be on the right body shape to retain the ball and switch the play.
4 Squares – Positional Game
To occupy the field rationally is one of the main objectives of the coaches at early ages. This is a good introduction to the position game for different playing systems.
Transitions: Narrow down the spaces
The following situations are basic tactical and repeated situations in the game: The team that loses the ball has to close spaces, the team winning the ball back has to start winning width, opening up the field. You can practice this drill continuously.
Field with 3 zones: ball circulation + scoring
Both the speed of play and the attraction of the rivals in order to free the farther players are important in order to attack. We will have to do shiftings so the rival has to change its position.
Hexagon Rondo
This is a very special space in order to make the players stay in triangles first and then add another player creating a diamond. Doing this we will be able to give 3 supports at least to the player on the ball, becoming a really difficult situation for the defenders to defend.
Rondo: Speed of game and coverages
Tactical rondos with a high demand of defensive concepts. If your defenders in the rondos do not delay, they are learning how to not delay the opponents attack in the games.
Conditioned Game: Shifting and Intensive Pressing
A good pressing and a defensive balance against the position game (Sarri, Guardiola, Nagelsman), with a rule which will make the offensive players to choose the right position in order to fix the defenders.
Overcoming High Pressure
To make a right high pressure or a good game building, and practice it in a game oriented similar situation is very possible.
Avoid in depth passes + Transitions
To press the player on the ball is a key aspect for having defensive success. If, we add the defensive vigilances, this drill will give your players a lot of defensive tactical concepts. A polarized tactical drill with plenty of offensive and defensive transitions.