Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Block Tackle

Warm-Up/Defensive stance technique (10 mins)

Organization:

Two players across from each other with the ball on the cone in the middle.

Instructions:

Players race to the ball and try to touch it first without knocking the ball off the cone.

Coaching Points:

1. Sprint to the ball, slow down with small, choppy steps as you approach

Progressions:

1. Ask the players to set their feet 1 yard away from the ball instead of touching the ball and then to slide backwards.

Additional coaching points: one foot in front of the other, knees bent, on the balls of your feet (surfer's pose, keeping feet apart as they slide backwards)

Defensive movement technique (15 mins)

Organization:

Players across from one another, one with a ball.

Instructions:

Player passes the ball to teammate and then runs to close him down and set his feet in the correct position. The teammate controls the ball and then dribbles at the player who slides backwards, staying in front of the teammate who is dribbling.

Coaching Points:

1. Close down with speed

2. Set feet 1 yard in front of teammate (surfer's pose)

3. Slide backward, keeping feet away from each other

Progressions:

Conditioned game/free play (25 mins)

Organization:

Game with small goals

Instructions:

Number of players per team depending on number of players at practice. Only one player may pressure ball at one time (no double teams). 1 point for a goal, 3 points for a goal after beating a player or after tackling the ball.

Coaching Points:

1. Following attacker as he moves

2. Pushing him away from goal

3. Recognizing moment to tackle, not diving in

4. Continuously moving your feet/on your toes as you defend

Progressions:

Transition to free play