I think it is great that you have taught the offside trap at a young age. I coach an u-12 team as well and the offside trap has been a big help in many games. My U-12 have the offside trap down to a sience. I do agree though playing against two fast strikers you might want to drop your defense a bit. Expect the long ball. Placing a 5th defender you are playing for a tie or loss. Thanks for listening.

Ian

Hi Guys, forgive me for this is my first post on this forum, but I suggest some thing I tried with my under 16’s with regards to super fast attacking force.

The majority of my lads this is there first season at competitive football this weekend just gone, we came up against the top of the table, historically these opponents where winning every thing. Knowing our defence was a problem I set up my training session to try and address the problem.

I placed 9 cones in half the pitch indicating the ideal position in a typical 1-4-1-4 with a strong defender sat just in front of my defence with the midfield sat 5 yards from the half way line with a lone striker sat in the opponents half.

I place each player on a cone and instructed them with two simple rules 1. never dive in ,i.e hold up the attacking player, 2. players may go as far as his neighbouring cone but not beyond it, defend in pairs with the rear line looking for runners and cover the gaps created by the movement of the midfield

Positioning is every thing:

The remaining squad members (plus my striker)  where given free reign to attack this defending line up however they wished. Needless to say in training the attacking force could not penetrate the 9 man defensive line.

I took this system into the game on Sunday and we held the team 3 – 3 needless to say I have a very fast striker who scored on counter attacks  

The system gives no room for the opponents strikers to run on to the ball, not nice football but it did the job.

On a final note it did give me the opportunity to review the team defensive technique and it highlighted very clearly the need for the team to defend as a unit and areas in need of practise.

Sorry if my explanation is not clear, set it up in training and give it a go it lets you watch your lads defend which will clearly indicate any weakness

                                                              gk

                    x                        x                                x                        x

                                                               x

                               x                     x                  x                      x

x = cones..... defender just beyound the 18 yard box, midfield 5 yards from the half way line

Martin ..........................................................................

http://bradfordtigersfc.co.uk

IT MIGHT HELP.

ur best 11 players may not be ur best team

my opinion regarding your questions about your team's defensive problems. unable to mark fast attackers, unable to stop the penetrative passes into danger area, difficulties to hold a defensive offside line, or even defensive high ball technique, and lack of patience, commited too early.. 

if you cant solve these SIMPLE problems. you're actually wasting your players times.. sorry to said that. BECAUSE defence is the most easiest area to train in soccer compare to other part of soccer..

no formation and tactical play can overcome players inabilities. technical skill, tactical understanding can help. you the coach work on it.

below is my opinion: 

1 ) individual defending technique and skill.

2 ) group defending.

3 ) defending block in different third of the field and as a team in the game.

4 ) defending set-play.

5 ) style of defence.

steven

Phuabh