Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Tony DiCicco-Building Your Team's Defensive Scheme

Individual and Small Group Defending

Organization:

Field Size - 30 yds x 25 yds with one large goal and one counter goal. Defenders by the large goal and attackers by the counter goal.

Activity:

Individual and small group defending. Alternate 1v1 and 2v2 and build up to adding in a 3v3.

Coaching points:

-Absorb an attacker running at you and force them to the outside (can be inside when there is a cover player)

-Low center of gravity; staggered stance; eyes on ball only; feet moving with weight slightly forward; establish good pressuring distance.

-Do not allow the 1st attacker to turn whenever possible.

-When defending in small groups or bigger, communicate: "my ball" - "force towards me" - "force outside" - "contain" - "close" - "step" etc.

-When ball is won, turn defense into immediate offense.

5 vs. 5 - 1

Organization:

1/2 field-44 x 60 yards. Each team has 5 players.

Activity:

Train the midfield (3) to defend in a shape and look for opportunities to win balls and counter attack. Each team has 5 players. However the team with the ball has all 5 and the team defending can use only 3 with the other two players dropping off to a line below the defensive 1/3 of of the field. When ball is won, the 3 can counter-attack if its on or they can play back to their keeper or two out of game players to come forward as a five, while the defending team drops two players.

Coaching Points:

-Communication

-When ball is central, the shape should be a triangle or pie-shaped

-When the ball is wide, the shape in the midfield should be a diagonal

-When the ball is won, a quick decision on whether a counter against the 5 is on or not...if not, then bring in the additional two.