Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defenders defending with transition to attack

Warm Up (15 mins)

Method: 

 > The S&C coach will take the first 10-12 minutes of the warm up will be composed of a gentle loosening up to begin with, then a build up of movements.

> The strength coach will focus on acceleration and deceleration, short and sharp movements and change of direction. This will make sure the players are ready for the types of movements the players will be doing throughout the session. 

> Then the players will come over to me for the second part of the warm up. In this exercise the group will be split in to two groups.

> There will be one player on each mannequin working with there own group. The first player in line (player 1) will play the ball to the player on the mannequin (player 2) who will bounce the ball back to player one. Once player two has played the ball back, they will turn and sprint towards the furthest mannequin.

> As they approach the mannequin, the players will look to get low, decelerate and come to a complete stop.  

Coaching Points:

> Get low when decelerating 

> Get side on so you don't end up flat footed when you stop at the mannequin

2v2/ 3v2 (20 mins)

Method:

 > To start the activity, the defender with the ball passes to one of the two attackers.The two defenders sprint towards the attackers with the defender closest to the attacker receiving the pass applying more pressure than the other defender. 

> The two attackers attempt to dribble and pass around the defenders to create a shot on goal.The defender who is not applying direct pressure to the player on the ball is considered the supporting defender and moves into a position off the main defender’s shoulder. The supporting defender should be in between helping the main defender if they get beat and the second attacker in case a pass is made to them. 

> The supporting defender becomes the main defender and applies pressure if the second attacker receives the ball. The main defender immediately switches and becomes the supporting defender when this happens. 

> The turn is over when the defenders win the ball, block the shot, or the attackers score. If a defender wins the ball, there aim is to immediately try score in one of the mini goals.  

> The next four players begin their turn once the players in front of them have finished and cleared the field. Players return to the back of their original lines after their turn. 

> Continue this process for a period of time. At the end of that time, gather any lost balls, and switch lines. Defenders become attackers and attackers become defenders.

Coaching Points: 

> Important that the defenders close down the attackers as quickly as possible, but be sure to arrive on balance so the attackers do not just push the ball past them. Defenders must shorten their steps when getting closer to the attackers and make sure to decelerate early. Get your body low on approach to the ball so you can change direction quickly

> The defender closest to the player on the ball applies more pressure than the defender further away. The defender further away supports the defender applying pressure.

>  Try force the attackers away from the goal, or use their weaker foot.
 

> Communication between the defenders and from the goalkeeper is key in being successful in defending the attack.

9V9 (25 mins)

Method: 9v9.

> The focus of this activity (9v9) is for the red team to press high from the front and put the blue team under immediate pressure

> The blue team will start by trying to play out from the keeper (a transition to attack). The blue defenders have the full width of the pitch to try find a way to play out and attack. The red teams defending half has been modified so the wings are narrow and they can commit more bodies forward for the high press. 

> The blue team defenders will be under constant pressure and attack. They will be constantly defending the attack while trying to transition and create an attack of there own. 



Coaching Points:

> Try implement what we have worked on all session. 

> Defenders decelerate on approach to the ball/player

> Dont dive in 

> Defenders communicate to each other to minimise the damage on transition 

> On transition to attack, find the spare player and play the ball quick 

> Support the player on the ball quickly on transition to attack