Coaching a U15 boys team. The squad is nearing the end of transition as we've had to rebuild after losing several players over the summer.

Played our 3rd friendly today and I had a whiteboard out making tallies on development areas.

Was a frustrating 2-1 loss with the key features being:

Possession & Pressure

• Unnecessary pressure in the defensive 3rd: x18 times (giving the ball away on 1st/2nd pass straight to opposition playing out form the back)
• Possession loss in advantage positions (midfield): 7
• Won possession in midfield: 5

 Decision-Making / Awareness Issues

• Wasted possessions: 9
• Poor decision making
• Lack of runners/options used
• Not opening up for passes
• Ball watching
• Slow reactions

Lack of any aggression or desire to get stuck and win the ball - classic “passive defending” problem: players are present but not actively engaging, and when they do try to tackle it’s hesitant, mistimed, or too soft.

With managing the transition, getting new players in, trying to get registrations and friendlies organised I'm struggling to solve the problems from today that at the moment we'll take into the new season. I've got training in the next few days and I really want to have something that we can start working now. Any help, thoughts, advice and guidance for the community welcome. 

Thanks in advance.