Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Nuno Rosa Defending in and around the penalty area (Start Time: 2014-03-29 10:45:00)

Defending in and around the penalty area Skill practice (25 mins)

Mark out a quarter of a pitch in the central area around the penalty box (approx 35 by 35yeards)

Attacking team has 6 players in a 2-3-1 formation (A1 feeds the ball to A2 or A3 who then attack towards the goal.The defending team has 5 players If the defending team wins it back, they can try to dribble or pass through the 2 mini goals on the opposite side.

Cover as a TEAM (Defending Triangles)

Defending as units to cover central areas, if the ball is played out wide, the opposite full back shuffles across to cover the central areas.

If marking the player, get tight and try to prevent the player from turning.

Key Factors:

1-Defend fairly deep to protect the penalty area

2-Nearest player to the ball closes down the midfield Attackers.

3-Decision affected by area of the field and position of the ball in relation to opponents ability to play forward and if closest defender has pressure on the ball or not

4-Second Defender closest to the ball supporting 1st defender when pressure on the ball or delaying forward play: Angle & Distance, mark player or space as needed, adjust position if attacker moves to go past 1st defender, cover the space

5-Observation (see dangers), mark players or space, cover, compactness, balance, depth

6-React, Recovery & Tracking, on lost possession need to make a decision, can we get pressure on immediately? If not then what? React, awareness, decision is dependent on pressure, recover into positions vacated by other players behind the ball, track opponents runs into areas that threaten your team, turn and face play as soon as possible

7-Communicate with the others regain Pressure-support-cover-balance-depth=COMPACTNESS

8-Low body position and side on positioning

9-Adjust speed

Body shape show the outside space

Technique of defending

Slow down on approach, DENY, RESTRICT, PREDICT…….SPACE

Stay on your feet especially in the penalty area! Don’t concede free kicks or penalties!

Show players outside away from the penalty area.

Cover and support from other defenders

Tracking and recovery runs

Offside can we use this trap to play attackers offside?

Support from GK who sweeps and anticipates ball over the top

Can we play out from the Defense?

Communication clear and concise.

Progression:

1-Add another attacker in to the play let A1 move in and participate in the movement

2-restrict the time for the attackers to score if they are taking too long to penetrate the penalty area

3-implement the offside line