Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Basic Principles of Defending: Pressure, Cover, Balance, Depth

Warm Up (10 mins)

Players with a ball each in a 30yd x 20yd area;

i) Dribble around the area using either foot, utilizing all 10-surfaces. 

ii) Work on touches mainly with the Inside & Outside of the foot

iii) Recap Shoreline moves #1 - #6 and teach moves #7 - #9. 

iv) Exchange soccer ball for a tennis ball and continue to work on ball touches.

Coaching Points

1) Body Position; stand upright with knees bent, head on a swivel, leg extended to make contact with the ball, knee over the ball & arms out for balance.

2) Contact on the Ball; Are players able to perform the skills taught? Is their touch soft and with correct part of the foot?

3) Shielding; Do players head check to see danger and use their body as a shield to avoid showing the ball to an opponent, whilst dribbling away from them?

Activity Two (15 mins)

Set up TWO 30yd x 20yd areas; 6-Goal game.Rotate opponents every 3-min

i) Play 3 v 3 to 3 opposing goals.

ii) To encourage attackers into 1v1's, IF you can stop the ball In the GOAL on the line, it counts as 3pts

Coaching Points

1) Introduce Balance: Can players apply good P & C to allow 3rd defender (Balance) to deny long passes across ore behind? Can we offer balanced-cover either side of middle pressure?

2) Make Play Predictable: Can the defenders dictate where the ball is played by the way they set up and offer P,C,& B?

3) Transition: Can good defending result in possession gain? If so, can that result in quick goal scoring opportunities BEFORE opponents can set up their defensive shape?