Football/Soccer Session (Advanced): Defending in balance

Arrival Activity

Handball

- 2 teams 6v6/7v7 depending on numbers

- 15x15 square in central area

- Score by passing the ball into target player at end of square (switch target player after every goal)

- Ball can only bounce once

- Player with the ball cannot move

Screen 3

Organisation

- Pitch length 32 x width 46

- 7v7/ 6v6 depending on numbers

- area coned off diagonally in the 2 corners on half way

- 1 gate in each corner

Focus team (Red) 1-4-2 (1-4-3-3) managed my head coach

Opposition (Blue) 4-2 (1-4-4-2) managed by assistant

Scoring:

Red team score by passing into the goal or either gate in corner

Blue team score on goal

Challenges (set by coaches)

Red team

1)Try to force the ball into wide areas by staying compact

2) Defend width of penalty area

3) Win the ball centrally & score in gates = 2 goals (transition tactic)

Blue team:

1) A goal scored as a result of playing into #9 = 2 goals

2) Try to pass/ dribble through central area

3) Try to score from a cross

Tech/ Tact details:

- George & Ethan stay compact & apply pressure to the ball if the opposition CM has a bad touch/ faces own goal/ head down/ no support (pressing triggers)

- George/ Ethan if one goes to press the other to cover behind (screen infront of striker)

- Freddy/ Harris tuck inside to deny space & be compact (force wide)

- Freddy/ Harris if ball goes wide, press quickly to stop cross

- Harry/ Lucas maintain compactness & mark goal side of striker

- Harry/ Lucas support/ cover behind full back if they go to press in wide areas

- Communication between all players to ensure distances between players & units aren't too big

- FORCE WIDE - body shape/ angle of pressure