Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U16 Defensive Session

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Craig Williams

Profile Summary

Name:	Craig Williams
City:	Newtown
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Defending 1v1

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Defending 1v1 (15 mins)

Set up in four channels. Defenders start with the ball. They pass the ball to the attacker, then play begins.

The attacker must dribble past the defender to the end line, the defender must try to stop them. Once the ball is dribbled over the end line or the defender tackles, play stops and the attacker becomes the defender and vice versa. The session progresses as follows:

First Progression:

Defenders must get up to the attacker as quick as possible, but then must put the brakes on and slow down on approach so they dont get beaten easily. They need to get touch tight if possible.

Second Progression:

Defenders body position should be side on, slightly crouched with bent knees, nice and low. They can then pivot on their back foot so they dont turn their back on their opponent

Third Progression:

Defenders should arc their run to one side and have their body position showing the attacker towards the space, this should force the attacker to go the way the defender wants and make it easier to tackle

Fourth Progression:

If the defender wins the ball, they can now go and dribble over the opposite end line and score themselves a point.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Defending 2v2

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Defending 2v2 (15 mins)

Take away the middle line in the end two channels and turn the games into 2vs2.

Again defenders start with the ball and they pass to the attackers. The defenders now work together to stop the attackers getting over the end line, using the skills they have just learnt in the 1v1 drill. (fast to the ball, slow down on approach, side on, low body position, pivot on back foot, arc run to cut off space)

Coaching Points:

>Defenders need to work as a unit - have a man each but DO NOT mark them

>Closest defender (1st defender) needs to apply pressure to the ball - this means the fast then slow approach, getting touch tight, with side on body position

>Second defender needs to provide depth and balance

>Depth means deeper towards own goal line than first defender, Balance means slightly behind 1st defender. By providing depth and balance, the 2nd defender can cover the 1st defender if they get beaten 1vs1, but can also go and apply pressure to the other attacker if the ball is passed across.

>If the ball is passed across, the 2nd defender now becomes the 1st defender and applies pressure to the ball, arcing the run to show inside, while the other defender becomes the 2nd defender and provides depth and balance.

>The 1st defender needs to show the attacker inside towards his covering defender, which means they need to arc their run to cut off the space outside

Key Points:

1st Defender applies pressure to the ball, arcing run to show inside towards covering defender

2nd Defender provides depth and balance

The two defenders switch roles as the ball is passed from one attacker to the other

Remember - the ball going sideways is one that we dont mind and we can deal with, the ball going forwards is the one we want to stop.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Defending 4v4

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Defending 4v4 (15 mins)

Take away the middle line and play now becomes a 4vs4.

The same defending rules apply as in the 2vs2. Players have an opposition man each. Therefore when their opposition man has the ball, they become the 1st defender, and the other three defenders becomes 2nd defenders providing depth and balance. Must provide depth and balance(cover) to not leave space in behind for a through ball to be played.

The only new thing is that the two middle defenders must decide where to show their attacker when they have the ball, and the answer is to show them towards the side with the most defenders. For example, player 1 would show his attacker to the right, and player 2 would show his attacker to the left by arcing the run.

Remember - the ball going sideways is one that we dont mind and we can deal with, the ball going forwards is the one we want to stop.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Progression

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Learning Objectives

Tactical
Defenders stay close together and move as a unit

Progression (15 mins)

Teams in Boxes A and C are working together.

Passing between themselves and trying to find space for a pass through to the other team

Defending Team in Box B aims to stay tight and shuffle side to side to prevent ball being played.

If team makes more than 6 passes in a box then 1 defender can enter and try and tackle.

Swap Teams regularly

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SSG

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Learning Objectives

Tactical
Defenders stay close together and move as a unit

SSG (20 mins)

Small Sided Game

7vs7 (or whatever numbers we have)

Must make 2 Passes before they can shoot - No Goalkeepers

Defensive Principles we have just learnt - Carry them on in this game!!

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