3/4 Squares/Grids with 4 players depending on numbers available in each box. Players start simply by passing in groups. Pass and follow your pass. Once the player passing the ball has done so, encourage the players to arrive quickly at the intended target, move their feet and passively show the player receiving the ball on to their weaker side (Passive Defending) 

Advance to 4v2 Small box possession. Rotate the two defenders.

Have the attacking team count there passes. Extra point if they can play a split pass between the two defenders. It will reinforce the two defenders staying compact and keeping the ball in front.

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Coaching Point - Feet movement, Compactness, Triggers, Bad Touch, Bad pass to win the ball back.

3 thirds with 3 teams - See example. Defending team in the middle third stay compact and prevent the attacking team playing passes through them. The Attacking team receive a point each time they play through the defending team. The defensive unit have to shift over quickly and together whilst staying compact preventing gaps between them.

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You can rotate the defending team after a certain amount of time or once they win the ball. This example is using a Back 4. You can tailor it to the age group you coach and use three defenders.

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Coaching Points - Pressure. Compactness. Control/Restraint.

Advancement on the previous exercise - See example. Defending team in the middle remain compact and prevent the attacking team playing passes through them but now they can send in a defender. The defensive unit have to shift over quickly and together whilst staying compact preventing gaps between them but also applying pressure to the ball. Pressure/Cover/Balance.

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You can have one player pressure the ball and remain in the the final third or you can advance it where you alternate which defender pressures the ball based on which defender is closest to the ball. That way you have players applying pressure but also recovering back into a back four or three shape/unit.

 

Coaching Points - Pressure. Compactness. Balance, Recovery.

Set up your team 11v11 with a Back 4 and a Midfield 2 or if you are 8v8/9v9 - Back 3 and Midfield 2. 

Attacking team 2-3-1 with a feeder. Attacking team attack the goal. Defending team remain compact and prevent the attacking team playing passes through them and Defending the waves of attack.

 Advancement - have the Ball start various positions on the field so that play does not become predictable and easy for the defending team.

 

Target Goals for the defending team to score in to reward them for winning back possession.

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Coaching Points - Pressure. Compactness. Balance, Delay, Recovery.

8v8 or 9v9 depending on numbers available. Shape of the team should be 1-3-3-1 or 1-3-3-2 . Encourage Compactness and keeping the ball in front. You can overload the attacking team to make it more difficult for the defending team to create more defensive situations.

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Coaching Point - Encourage all aspects of the session Defending/Compactness. Example of being compact below..