In this session, filmed at the end of the 2024/25 season, Luton Town under-15 head coach and under-16 assistant coach Oliver Modeste takes an under-16 group through a series of practices focusing on defensive principles.

Taking place two days before a matchday, the session is designed to train the team’s ability to defend the middle of the pitch and force the opposition into wide areas. Within this, Modeste puts particular emphasis on the individual development plans of the centre-backs in a back three.

The session begins with a warm-up led by academy sports scientist Harri Morgan, before players split into two groups. Modeste leads the outfield matchday starting line-up through two practices: an attack-v-defence breakout game, which focuses specifically on the back three and their ability to stay narrow and compact and force opposition attacks into wide areas, and a possession game played in a tight area. At the same time, then academy head of coaching Craig Alcock leads the remaining players through a two-ball pattern of play practice and a possession transfer game.

After this, the groups come back together for an 11v11 game in which they are challenged to apply the principles coached in the preceding practices. The session finishes with work on defending corners.

It is an excellent session, which provides a fascinating insight into how to keep a large group engaged, while honing in on the individual development of the back three. We hope you enjoy it!

Please also click below to access an accompanying session plan in PDF form.