Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending crosses

Warm Up (15 mins)

Organisation

- 20x20 (numbers dependant)

- Even number of players around the outside placed as shown in picture.

- Balls start on the outside (1 ball per player for 1st rotation; 1ball per side after that)

- Rest of players in the middle

Task

- Volley back to player who threw the ball

- Volley to player on same side as thrower

- Head back to player who threw the ball

- Head to player on same side

Coaching Points

- Attack the ball

- Movement outside of the line of the ball to send to target

- Contact position

- Eyes on the ball

Recovery Runs (20 mins)

Organisation

-Half a field or 44 wide X 30 long

- Balls start with central midfielder 30 yards out (red)

- 1 crosser/attracker per wide area

- 3 defenders and 3 attackers start outside of the boxin between 2 poles/cones (vary numbers to make it easier/harder)

Task

- Central player passes ball outside to winger; he must dribble past the 18 yard line and cross the ball

- Defenders make recovery run into the box once the pass is made out wide; attackers also run in to the box and attempt to score

- Winger not receiving the ball must run forward but stay widein case ball comes all the way across and they can re-deliver.

Progressions

- Change numbers up and down to make easier/ harder

- Defenders can make recovery runs from different positions

Coaching points

- Don't recover in a straight line

- Attack the ball

- Clear away from danger zone

- Communication between defenders and GK

- Get something on it!!

- Push out quickly once ball is cleared