Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): DEFENDING 1V1 2V1

Warm Up (15 mins)

Organization:

-20x30 grid with every player on a ball.

Instructions:

-Players dribble around the area attempting to get to 50 touches as quickly as possible.

-After 50 touches, players leave their ball and find a new one to close down.

-Process repeats itself as players warm up and start putting unopposed pressure on the ball as the first defender.

Coaching Points:

- Slow down on approach to ball

- Smaller steps the closer you get to ball

- Bend knees

- What is good distance from the ball(attacker) when defending?

- Angle run to 'show inside' or 'show outside'

Progressions:

Main Theme 2: 2v2 Defending (20 mins)

Organization:

- 20x20 yard grid

-Pugg goal at each end

- 2v1 Defending in the grid

Instructions:

-Player from outside the grid plays it in to their teammate. Teams take turns defending 2v1, if the defending team wins the ball they can then go and attack the opposing team's pugg goal.

-If either team scores a goal the teams switch out and 2 new players come in on each side.

Coaching Points:

-With two defenders we now have first defender for pressure and second defender for cover.

- Communication between players 'I got ball' or 'You press.'

- Slow down as pressing player gets close to attacker on the ball.

- Cover player judge distance and angle of support based on press.

- Support player communicate 'Show inside' or 'Show outside.'

-Defenders need to keep both attackers in view

Progressions:

-Can progress into a 2v2 scenario (demonstrated in right grid)