Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Team Practices: Defensive I

Reaction Recovery (20 mins)

- Two areas with two goals with goalkeepers. Markers to indicate where the shot can be taken from.

- Each player from both sides, taking it in turn, attack the goal in their area, whilst the defender from the other area recovers.

- If only one GK, they can recover also, swapping if too intense.

- The first player, to begin with, will start static in the opposite area, then when the attack begins, they can begin to recover.

- Once the attacker has finished the attack i.e. scored, out of play, and in possession of the defender or GK, they become the defender that recovers in the other area.

Progression

- Attacking player to choose either goal

- Defender to dictate play when winning possession

- 2 v 2 

Focus

- Reaction

- Angle of run

- Technique of defending

- Forcing play into a less-risky area

1/2 vs 1/2 +2 DDD (15 mins)

- Two teams to swap team roles a couple of times, after so many attempts. One defending team starting from either side of the goal.

- The ball is played from the defender into the winger diagonally, which is then their trigger to get positioned on the pitch.

- The winger then plays the ball into the attacker's path to bring the ball into play and beat the defender & attack the goal.

- The attackers or defenders can use the wingers whenever in possession.

- If the defender wins possession, they attack either one of the small goals.

- The attacker then replaces the winger that passed to them to take over their role, the winger joins the attackers waiting.

Progression

- Add a time limit on the attacker

- 2 vs 2

Focus

- Angle of the body to defend

- Identifying & reaction of any pass out wide

- Winning the possession of the ball

3 vs 3 DDD (20 mins)

- Three goals, one with a GK, the other two unoccupied.

- Defenders have eight starting points to choose to position themselves, coming into play when the attackers play the ball.

- The big goal is worth 3 points if scored in, the other two are worth 1 point. Defenders receive 3 points if they score.

- Attackers start with the ball, playing out from the starting point. Each attacker has to touch the ball before attempting to shoot.

- If defenders win the ball, they pass into the mini goals or pass into the next attacking team, using the GK if needed.

- Play is stopped when the ball is out of play.

Progression

- Change the point system

- Remove the side goals, to make it more game realistic

- Have defenders 1 & 2 active straight away, but defender 3 waits so many seconds before looking to recover and defend, forced to delay & deny.

- Add an extra attacker to cause a bigger overload and an extra challenge for the defenders. 

Identifying Triggers (20 mins)

- Three teams split into even numbers, with two goalkeepers, game realistic.

- The team around the area can be used as a feeder & receiver who can't be challenged. They're allowed along the line from the corner to halfway.

- The team without possession can identify a trigger and press, using the ball once possession is gained.

- The teams can be swapped at any time, as pressing is physically demanding.

Progression

- Mixup the ball delivery into play.

- Points system for areas of pressing & how many players press.

Focus

- Number of players to press.

- Press to win & dictate play.

- Learning when to press, using a trigger.

- Pressing further up the field, keeping the ball in the opposition half.

Defensive Principles

- Players on the outside start with possession, trying to transfer the ball over through the defensive area. GK are able to use their hands to receive & transfer.

- The defensive pair in the middle work together, one to press and one to cover & track movement.

- Only one defender outside of their area, they try to force a mistake & intercept. 

- Players change after 60 seconds, unless they win possession of the ball, they swap with the two attempting to pass & receive.