Core Topic 2: Out Of Possession

Module: Master The Game: 12-18 Years Old Classroom: Use The 360TFT Game Model Original Location: https://www.skool.com/coachingacademy/classroom/62d426ee

TLDR

Out Of Possession focuses on defending across all thirds of the pitch, both collectively and individually. It’s about shape, discipline, and responding under pressure through four core concepts.

Defensive Shape covers the defensive third where players suffer stress and protect the goal through organised defending near their own goal. Players learn to defend deep with compact lines, limit space between units, and make clear decisions under pressure. Key focuses include back line coordination, delay and deny, and compactness through low block scenarios, overload defending, and wave-based defending.

Winning Duels involves low or mid block individual battles and recovery runs, focusing on 1v1 defending, cover and support roles, and regaining control after breakdowns. Players must defend front-foot and recovery situations, winning physical and tactical duels through duel-based games, transitional defending tasks, and compact area battles.

Anticipating Transitions addresses rest defence and stability around the ball because good defending starts while attacking. Players learn to position for possible loss of possession, control counter-threats, and recover quickly by recognising cues, securing central areas, and holding shape through rest defence setups, layered transition games, and decision-based pressing traps.

Pressing involves controlling the centre and counter pressing as an aggressive defensive action. Final third pressing requires triggers, communication, and collective movement to force errors or win the ball back, including counter pressing immediately after loss and using touchline or numbers effectively through high press shape scenarios, trigger recognition games, and live counter press transitions.

This framework helps players understand defending not just as reaction but as active, proactive, and planned team behaviour across the pitch.

Out Of Possession - Core Concepts

This phase focuses on defending across all thirds of the pitch, both collectively & individually. It’s about shape, discipline, & responding under pressure.

1. Defensive Shape (Defensive 3rd - Suffer Stress and Protect the Goal)

This is about organised defending near your own goal. Players learn to defend deep with compact lines, limit space between units, and make clear decisions under pressure.

Key focuses include:

In training: low block scenarios, overload defending, & wave-based defending.

2. Winning Duels (Low or Mid Block, Individual Battles & Recovery Runs)

This principle focuses on 1v1 defending, cover and support roles, and regaining control after breakdowns.

Players must be able to defend front-foot and recovery situations, winning physical and tactical duels.

In training: duel-based games, transitional defending tasks, and compact area battles.

3. Anticipating Transitions (Rest Defence & Stability Around the Ball)

Good defending starts while attacking. This phase teaches players to position for possible loss of possession, control counter-threats, and be ready to recover quickly.

Players learn to:

In training: rest defence setups, layered transition games, and decision-based pressing traps.

4. Pressing (Control the Centre and Counter Press)

An aggressive defensive action. Pressing in the final third requires triggers, communication, & collective movement to force errors or win the ball back.

Includes:

In training: high press shape scenarios, trigger recognition games, and live counter press transitions.

Active Defending

This framework helps players understand defending not just as reaction, but as an active, proactive, and planned team behaviour across the pitch.

This content is part of the 360TFT Football Coaching Academy - Use The 360TFT Game Model