Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Defensive Exercises

WU: Cone Ball 1v1 (20 mins)

Set-up

12 x 10 grids with a ball on a cone at one end as shown.

Organization

Players work in pairs. White player plays the ball across the grid to black player and closes the space down quickly. Black player must try to dribble past the white player and try and knock the ball off the cone or dribble across end line. White player defends them and tries to win the ball and dribble across opposition end line.

Progressions

Switch roles, have players work for 90 seconds games and keep track of points. Winners move up the grid loser’s move down the grid.

Coaching Points

Close down space and try to win ball in black half, speed/angle of approach, apply pressure without stabbing, body shape side on, take advantage of poor touch/dribble by attacker, watch ball not player.

3v2 (20 mins)

Set Up

Grids is 30 x 20 with two full size goals as shown

Organization

Break teams into two groups. Ball starts with white team who play ball across to the black team. Three black attackers now attack 2 white defenders and try to score on goal. Player that takes the shot or loses the ball steps out and the remaining two blacks now defend the next wave of 3 white attackers

Progressions

Add in recovering defender to make it 3v3 if defenders can delay attackers

Defending team can counter attack to other goal if they win the ball

Coaching Points

Angle of approach - make pass predictable, angle of support from covering defender, pressure and delay attackers