Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Defending in the attacking third

3 v 1 Possession (10 mins)

Objective

To improve players ability to pass and receive the ball under pressure & to improve players movement off the ball

Organization

12 x 10 area 

3 Players try to keep the ball from the 1 defender

Coaching Points

Quality of the pass (WAT)

Circulation way from pressure 

Movement off the ball (angle and distance)

Interval Duration

Defender rotates after 1 minute 

2 v 2 Defending (15 mins)

Objective

To improve team defending in 2s/3s (Pressure/Cover) 

Organization

Grid 10x20 (split in the middle) 

Defender plays the ball to one of the attackers and then press. Defenders try to prevent attackers from scoring. 

Coaching Points

Who? when? how?

The closest person, as the ball os traveling, press with intensity

Make play predictable (force one way)

Good defensive stance

Protect the goal

Interval Duration

Each set of defenders work for 2.5 minutes and then switch roles

Defending from the front (20 mins)

Objective

to improve teams ability to press from the front

Organization

Set up in half the field 

Blue team playing in a 1-2-1-1 (objective to score in the mini-goals.

The yellow team set up in a 1-1- 3 (if they win possession they can score in the big goal) 

Coaching Points

Stay compact

Move as a unit

Prevent forward passes 

#9 to make play predictable (force to one side)

#7 & #11 to stop the forward pass down the line towards mini-goal

#6 to prevent their #6 from getting the ball on top of the box

#4 to stop their #9 from receiving the ball 

Interval Duration

15-20 minutes