Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 7v7 Club Training Week 2 June 19th

Stage 1 - Goal Tag (15 mins)

OBJECTIVE: Improve players' Body Movements while teaching the 1v1 defending the principle of staying in front and slowing them down.

PLAYER ACTIONS: Running, Jumping, Change of Direction, Dribbling, Ball Control

Set-Up: 15L by 15W 

Each Team Starts in the Corner of the pitch; the attacker starts by running out, and once they do, the defender can step in. The attacker has to get to the opponent's goal and touch it. If they do, their team gets the point; the defender tries to stop them by tagging them before they reach their goal. 

The first person in line on each side plays against each other. Once the players understand, two 1v1 groups can go simultaneously. 

Play 3-minute rounds with a 30-second break, then have the teams switch lines. 

Progression:

The attacker gets a ball to dribble while still trying to tag the other team.

COACHING POINTS:

Focus Team:

1v1 Defending

- 45 Degree Angle

- Knees Bent, On Our Toes, Low Center of Gravity

- Arm Up and Keep them an Arms Length Away

Opponent:

- Be Aware of Your Surroundings (Look Around)

- Use your body to Avoid Being Tagged (Body Faints)

- Commit the defender to one side by using your body (Body Faints)

- When Dribbling with the ball, Use Your Laces to Dribble

- Small Touches to Keep Control of the Ball In Tight Spaces

Guided Questions:

1. What must we do first when defending in 1v1 situations?

2. How can we slow down the attacker?

3. How can we force them to one side?

4. If the attacker changes direction quickly, how must we keep them in front of us?

Answers:

1. Stay in front of them and Slow them Down

2. Take Space Away and Stay in front of them

3. Adjust Our Body Shape to 45 degrees and give them one side when approaching the attacker

4. We need to be able to pivot our hips to stay in front while maintaining a good defensive stance

Stage 3 - 1v1 Defending - Line Game (15 mins)

Two Fields

- Split Groups into two

- 4 Groups of players (3-4 players per line)

- Balls Start on Side with Attackers

- 4 Minute Rotations, then each group switches sides

Scoring

- The attacker gets one point for dribbling over the opponent's endline

- If the defender wins the ball and scores by dribbling over the opponent's endline within 10 seconds, they get Two Points

Teams Count Their points together after each side; after being both the defenders and attackers, whichever team has the least points has to do 10 pushups.

Coaching Points:

1v1 Defending

- 45 Degree Angle

- Knees Bent, On Our Toes, Low Center of Gravity

- Arm Up and Keep them an Arms Length Away

Counter Topic

- Decision to Pass or Dribble based on the Location of the Defender

- Big Vs Small Touches (When to use what)

- Create Support Angles to Beat Pressure

Guided Questions:

1. What must we do first when defending in 1v1 situations?

2. How can we slow down the attacker?

3. How can we force them to one side?

4. If the attacker changes direction quickly, how must we keep them in front of us?

Answers:

1. Stay in front of them and Slow them Down

2. Take Space Away and Stay in front of them

3. Adjust Our Body Shape to 45 degrees and give them one side when approaching the attacker

4. We need to be able to pivot our hips to stay in front while maintaining a good defensive stance