Defending Shape Walk-Through — Mid-Block 4-4-2

Coach walks the defensive unit through compact 4-4-2 mid-block: two banks of four holding shape, strikers setting press triggers. No ball initially — just movement and communication. Then introduce a slow-moving ball through the attacking unit so defenders slide and hold.

• Midfield line and back line move as one unit — if the line breaks, we're exposed
• Press trigger is the bad touch or the back pass — not just any pass
• Communication from the back: Jake Sowers and Owen Humphrey must be talking constantly

• Introduce live ball at walking pace, defenders shift in real time
• Add a press cue and have the front two hunt in tandem on that trigger