Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Individual & Pair Defending - Welty U8

Stealer & Knock Out (10 mins)

Organization: Players in grid or circle with balls.

Instructions:

Stealer: Depending on numbers, all players with a ball except 1 or 2. Players without a ball must try to steal the ball of another player, who then becomes a stealer.

Knockout: All players with a ball who try to keep ball in grid while 1 or 2 players try to knock their ball out with poke tackles or block tackles. Players who get knocked out must do a task (10 toe taps, 10 bells, etc) before re-entering the game. Switch defenders.

Coaching Points: Step in front of the player to win the ball. Techniques of poke tackles and block tackles. Be patient and do not dive. Stay in front, delay, and wait for a mistake.

Transition Game (15 mins)

Organization: Team on a small field with mini goals divided in half. All players have balls. Start with 1v1 in the middle.

Instructions: If a player scores, or shoots and the ball goes past the goal, a new player from that side enters the game with a new ball - and the player who scored immediately becomes the defender in the next 1v1. Player who got beat gets ball and returns to his line. Progress to 1v2 & 2v2.

Coaching Points: Quick transition to defense. Stay switched on. Recovery runs to delay the attacker. Proper distance to pressre attacker. Stepping in when the ball is going away from the attacker. Tackling technique. Proper angle & distance of support of 2nd defender when defending in pairs.