Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Coach central defenders to defend as a unit

Function (15 mins)

Set - up

Mark out a central area of the pitch as shown.

Attackers v Defenders in a 2 v 2, with two servers

Servers can pass to each other before playing to attackers (blue) who must attempt to turn and score, by gettimg the ball past into the 18 yard box.

If defending team win the ball can they play to either server

Progression

Allow the server who didnt play the pass in join the attck to create a 3 v 2.

Key Points

- GK's start position on edge of the 6 yard box

- Does the nearest defender close down the attacker?

- Does the defender travel to the attacker as the ball is travelling towards him from the Server. Slow down on approach, body position, show him away from the goal. Decision making? Can he intercept the pass / win the ball.

- When one defender challenges does the other provide support? Can this defender still see his man, incase attacker passes, does he hav correct angles and distances to close down attacker should he get past first man? Is he close enough to close other attacker down if the ball is passed.

- Communication between GK and CD

- Recovery runs, do defenders get back behind defensive partner and switch attackers.

Cool down (5 mins)

Players perform 1 minute of light jogs

Then 3 minutes of stretches (dynamic & static)

Then another 1 minute of jogs