Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defensive technique - Pressure

Knee tag warm up (15 mins)

Instructions:

In pairs, must face each other the whole time

1 point if you can tage your partner's knee

Coaching Points:

- Look for opportunity to tag

- Be on your toes

2v2 recovering defender (25 mins)

Organization:

- 20x30 area as shown above

- players split into two teams

- 2v2 on the field, with remaining players positioned behind their respective goals.

- Soccer balls evenly split between two teams and positioned at respective goals.

Instructions:

- Game begins 2v2 on the field, with ball played in by coach. Once attacking team has a shot on goal (irrespective of scoring), the player that took the shot must run and give the coach a "high 5". Their team mate remains on the field.

- As this is happening the, the current defending team leaves the field from the nearest side and two new players from that team dribble a new ball into the field. At this stage they look to score 2v1. Once original attacker has given coach a "high 5" they return to help their team mate on defense.

- If attacking team score they are awarded 1 point.

- If sole defender steals the ball before scoring they are awarded 3 points.

Coaching Points:

- Side on, low center of gravity.

- Position body to cut off pass to supporting attacker.

- Look to steal ball when opportunities arise.

- Look to delay attacker and wait for support from fellow defender if unable to steal.