Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defensive principles

Warm Up

Set Up: open space, each player has a ball.

Descritption: Players are assigned number 1 or 2. Players are dribbling around the grid freely. When coach calls out number 1 those players leave their ball and go put immediate pressure on a number 2 that has a ball. Repeat this several times, looking for immediate pressure on the ball. 1. players can pressure any player with a ball, so possibly 2 putting pressure on 1 player. 2. Progression- have the defenders try to win the ball as fast as possible in 3 seconds. 3. Progression: Have players pressure and try to win ball from nearest player with a ball, but 2 players cannot pressure one attacker, have them look up and find open attacker.

Coaching Points:

1. immediate pressure

2. quick reaction.

3. If defending in 2's can we double team?

4. Head up to find open attacker, scan the field

5. tackle and ques to win a tackle.

Teaching/Learning (20 mins)

Set Up: 10x10y grid (size can be adjusted for ability level)

Description: 4v1 Rondo. If defender wins the ball, they try to dribble out of bounds in the opposite end of where they won the ball. Yellow attacking team try to press the ball quickly to keep defender that won the ball from dribbling out of grid.

- If defender that wins the ball dribbles out successfully then they switch with the player who is on that endline they dribble through.

CoachingPoints:

1. Immediate reaction

2. Transition

3. 1st defender trys to recover the ball.

4. Body position to win the ball, or push attcker certain way.

Progression:

Add a second defender so they can now pass ball to keep possession out of the grid.

Implementation

Game, free game.

If team wins the ball back in the attacking half of the field and scores they get 3 points, if they win it in defensive half of field and score they get 1 point.

Work on winning the ball back quickly in the attacking half when they lose the ball.