Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Specific Practice - OP - Defend the Line

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Flint Town United F.C.

Nathan Catherall

Profile Summary

Nathan Catherall
Name: Nathan Catherall
City: Nr. Mold
Country: United Kingdom
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

Welsh Way Principle

Understand when and how to stop the opposition playing through, around or over

Key Points:

Out of possession (Coached)

  • Fast pressure on the ball
  • Protect the middle
  • Stay Narrow & Compact
  • Stop Split passes
  • Protect the space behind

In possession (Uncoached)

  • Play through
  • Play around
  • Play over

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Arrival Activity

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Arrival Activity
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Learning Objectives

Technical
Technical
Work on specific ball control techniques. Ensuring repetition and development of core ball mastery techniques.
Technical
Tactical
Ball retention techniques being practiced.
Technical
Physical
Players constantly moving, starting to warm up in preparation for the football session ahead.
Technical
Psychological
Beginning to focus on the session ahead. Topic introduced, can they mentally prepare for the challenges ahead.
Technical
Social
First part of the session, arrival activity, players to be greeting each other and getting any pre session discussions out of their system.

Arrival Activity (5 mins)

Arrival Activity

As players arrive they grab a ball and dribble around the 20x20 box (adjustable to suit player age, size and numbers). Bibs are dictated to players on arrival in preparation for the session, by the assistant coach.

The assistant coach calls out commands, such as Cruyff Turn, all players then demonstrate that particular skill. Coach cycles through various turns, skills and ball mastery techniques, and picking up on any players that need feedback.

When the lead coach has set up the session and ready to take the players, he introduces the topic during their ball mastery work. Potential to use Q&A to see what the players already know regarding the topic.


Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Specific
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Specific (25 mins)

Organisation & Area size

- 60yd x 40yd

- 8 v 8 + 1 keeper

- 1 Full-size goal + 2 Mini goals

- REDS 4-3-1  BLUES 2-2-1-3

- 1 x feeder/assistant

Explanation

Coaching the RED team..managing the BLUE team. The RED backline will be a Unit of 4 players.

The REDS aim is to stop the BLUES from breaking through the lines and scoring either up, around or through.

The central Midfield players will protect the centre and force the BLUES wide.

When the REDS press the opposition they need to be aware of covering the space by dropping into space and covering.

BLUES to score into the full-size goal - REDS on the transition to scoring in the 2 mini-goals.There are no keepers in the mini-goals.

- Pressure on the ball

- Defending narrow and forcing the opposition wide

- Stop all breaking lines options

- Breaking passing lines

Key Points

Fast pressure on the ball.

Defending as a Unit.

Stopping split passes.

Protect the space.

Stay narrow & compact as a unit.

Out of Possession

- Speed and position of the initial press,

- Support the defensive players around the ball.

- Be alert for opportunities in transition.

- Midfield players are active and press the opposition.

- Attacker to be alert and on the front foot at all times.

Interventions

Concurrent

Terminal

Walkthrough

Coaching Process


Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SSG

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SSG
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SSG (20 mins)

Organisation
- 9v9
- 1-1-4-3 attacking
- 1-4-4 defending
- 3x5 minute blocks
- Normal game rules
- Balls split between both goals
- No set pieces


Team in Possession:

Play the ball around, through over the defenders

Look to exploit the overload and keep possession, probing.

Get into a shooting position as soon as possible and take the shot

Try to get defenders to commit

The team out of possession: 

Recognise player movement and positions

Press quickly when able

Protect the middle and work as a unit, don't all press for example

Defend the box and stop crosses

Leave the furthest players


Coaching points for defending side

Defending team to work together and communicate as a team.

Consider distances between each other.

Players press together up to the line, working as a unit all the time.

Each player working on angles of approach, body shape, and distance from other players.


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Professionalise and modernise your coaching
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75
per year
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