Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending (SWFC U13s)

Warm up - ball mastery

Each player has a ball and performs ball manipulation moves/feints/turns under the direction of the coach

Focus is on executing the move/feint/turn with both feet and with disguise and acceleration

e.g. stepover, outside hook,

Ball juggling exercises to provide periods of active recovery, using various parts of the body

e.g. feet only, around the world etc

Defending - pressurising

Organisation

3 teams of 5 player, with 1 team defending and 2 teams keeping possession. The defending team send 2 players into one of the boxes and attempt to win the ball back/clear the ball out of the box. The attacking teams keep possession and look to make 10 passes before transferring to the other box. If the ball is successfully transferred, 2 new defenders enter the area whilst the other defenders recover to the start position.

Progression

Defenders can start in the middle zone and look to block passes to the other box.

Scoring system

The game is played for a set time and the defending team score a point for every time they successfully win the ball. Each team has an opportunity to defend, the team with the lowest score loses the game.

Key Points

Speed/angle of pressure, body position, support/cover - angles and distances, communication,

Defending in a small sided game

Organisation

Blue team line up in a 3-3-1 formation and look to score by dribbling the ball through the cones beyond the half-way line. Red team line-up in a 2-3-2 formation and attack the goal.

Practice starts by a red defender over-hitting a pass which runs through to the GK, and then the blue team play out.

Coach the red team to defend effectively.

Progress by allowing free play once defensive principles have been established and allow players to change roles.

Key Points

Starting positions, press/delay, angles/distances, support/cover, make play predictable, communication