Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending in our own half 9 v 7

Warm up and 6 v 2 rondo (10 mins)

Organisation:

• 6 v 2 in a 15m circle.
• Change Def every 60 sec.

Coaching Points:

• 2 Def work together.
  
• Player closest to the ball presses, 2nd Def screens passing lanes.
• Good communication between Def.
• Be patient, don't dive in, try to force/capitalise on mistakes.
• look for high intensity from Def.

Defending in own half 9 v 7 (20 mins)

Organisation:

• Shape 1-3-1-3-1 v 2-3-2.
• Start point is red CB passes to other CB to establish good possession, red team aim to score in goals.
• Blue team must establish lines of pressure to disturb the reds build up.
• If blues win possession they transition to attack by passing the ball through gates in opponents half.

• Identify and establish lines of pressure ( 3 lines of pressure, Att - Mid - Def )
  
• Be compact relative to the line of defence, (no big spaces between  Def players)
• Defend first as a team, unit and individual. (Slide, screen, mark , delay and cover).
• establish triggers for pressing to make play predictable. ( ST arcs runs when balls played to CB to force the ball into areas with cover)
• Recovery runs to close the gaps between units in transition ( Get between the ball and goal quickly after losing possession)
• Ball must be presses in dangerous areas, no ball watching or easy shots on goal.
• Stay disciplined and patient.