Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): 1v1 - Defending - 4-8-2013

Warm Up

Organization:

1.12 players

2.Players work in pairs, set up as shown

3.1 ball per pair

Instructions:

1.Players work in groups of two

2.Passing the ball to each other

3.When one of the players stops the ball with the sole of their foot the other player must close that side down, e.g. when stopped with the right foot the pressing angle is from the right (thus forcing attacker to use their left)

4.Pressing player then returns to their starting position the group start to pass again

Coaching Points:

1.Speed of approach

2.Angle of approach

Progressions:

P – Introduce techniques of tackling, once the ball is stopped the player pressing now tackles the stationary ball

Main Theme

Organization:

1.Half field set up as shown

2.12 players (1 Goalkeeper, 5 Defenders, 6 Attackers) set up as shown

3.1 ball (Additional around the outside)

Instructions:

1.Attacking central midfield player starts the activity from the middle of the field by passing the ball out wide to either wide attacker

2.On the wide attacker’s first touch the defending player becomes active

3.The attacking player must attempt to beat the outside defending player before shooting or crossing

4.The wide attacking player has one central attacking player as a target if they choose to cross

5.If any defending player wins the ball they attempt to pass the ball through the counter goals

6.The activity is restarted by the central midfielder with a new wide attacking player

7.Rotate players after a set time limit

Coaching Points:

1.Speed of approach

2.Angle of approach, force player on to weak side

3.Correct moments to tackle

4.Feint to tackle to force a mistake

5.Tackling techniques

6.Transition to attack

Progressions:

P – Allow attacking wide player the opportunity to combine with central players for a 2v1

R – Take away central striker so that central defending player can provide cover

Conditioned Game

Organization:

1.40 x 25 yard area set up as shown

2.6 players (2 Teams of 3) set up as shown

3.1 ball (Additional around the outside)

Instructions:

1.The game always starts with a pass from the goalkeeper

2.The player that receives the ball plays 1v1 against their opponent to goal

3.The other two players remain inactive until the game restarts

4.If the ball leaves the area the game is restarted with the oppositions goalkeeper

5.The goalkeeper should look to pass to the best placed forward

Coaching Points:

1.Deny penetration

2.Speed of approach

3.Angle of approach, forces player on to weak side

4.Correct moments to tackle

5.Tackling techniques

6.Transition to attack

Progressions:

P – Play 2v2 and allow players to combine

R – Allow 2nd defender to be active to provide cover