Defending Tips

Gegenpressing is a German phrase, that became familiar with Jurgen Klopp and his Borussia Dortmund team.  To start this series on Geggenpressing, we examine the basics. Look out for phase 2 in the next couple of days in which we show how a coach can structure game related Geggenpressing scenarios that will really help their players to understand, how, when and where to Geggenpress.

Phase four – Defending the counter attack. The team, who have lost possession when attacking, will be disorganised, out of balance and vulnerable to a quick counter attack.

A follow up to the recent post of the Technique of 1 v 1 defending. In this defending practice, we focus on the basics of 1 v 1 defending. Closing down as the ball travels: Distances: Body position: and feet movement

Fourth in the series of progressive waves, pass, support and finishing games.

Using “conditions” in football training sessions is a very effective way of making sure that players, without impacting on their enjoyment or the realism of playing, are forced to focus and work on specific technical or physical aspects of the game.

Jurgen Klopp enjoyed tremendous success at Borussia Dortmund with his high profile tactics of Gegenpressing or as Jurgen Klinsmann called it “immediate ball recovery". So what is it and how can grassroots football coaches use it?

One long pass and the opposition are suddenly straight through and score. It drives football coaches mad.