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Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Individual & Small Group Defending - Pressure/cover with Recovery Runs

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Am-Club: Highland Football Club

Hasani McKenzie

Profile Summary

Hasani McKenzie
Name: Hasani McKenzie
City: Asheville
Country: United States of America
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Recovery Run 1v2 defensive transition

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Recovery Run 1v2 defensive transition
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Recovery Run 1v2 defensive transition (20 mins)

Set Up: 

  • Use a 20*12 grid with a full size goal on one endline and a two counter goals on the opposite endline. Set players up as shown in diagram for them to play 1v2 (1 attacker; 2 defenders)
  • Start one defender (red in diagram, position A) a little closer to the single attacker who will receive the ball
  • Place a recovering defender (position B) as shown in diagram. This will be the defender that needs to run back to provide cover for their teammate
  • Coach initiates the game by playing a ball into the attacker (blue in diagram). The attacker will take on the initial defender (A), the first defender will try to delay the attacker so that the recovery defender (B) can get behind the ball in a position to provide cover.
  • Once the 2 defenders win the ball back they should try to score by passing or dribbling through either counter gate

Guided Discovery:

  • When should first defender start closing down? While the ball is traveling to the attacker. Defender wants to arrive as the ball arrives
  • How can we get in a position to help our teammate protect the goal? Make a J shaped run to get goal side to provide cover for teammate
  • What can we do to give our teammate time to recover and help us defend? Put pressure on the ball and be patient, invite them to one side and keep them from making a move towards goal
  • Once we win the ball what can we do to create an opening right away? Get into a gap right away and combine

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Recovery Run 3v3

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Recovery Run 3v3
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Recovery Run 3v3 (20 mins)

Set up: 

  • Use a 30*25 grid. Large goal on one endline. On the opposite endline place two counter goals. Play 3v3 with the third player on the defensive team being a recovery defender that starts on the 
  • Game is initiated by coach playing the ball into a the attacking team (blue in diagram) who try to score on the full size goal
  • Defensive team (red in diagram) will try to slow down the attackers to give the recovery defender a chance to get back and provide cover
  • Once the defending team wins the ball they should look to pass through either counter goal

Coaching Points:

  • When should first defender start closing down? While the ball is traveling to the attacker. Defender wants to arrive as the ball arrives
  • What should you do as the second defender? Provide cover and let my teammate know which way to force the attacker (preferably to the outside away from the goal when possible).
  • How can the first 2 defenders slow down the attacking team? Forcing the attackers to play on one side so that they can't use the advantage of briefly having an extra player. 
  • What should you do as the recovery defender? Make a J shaped run to get goal side to provide cover for my teammates
  • Once we win the ball what can we do to create an opening right away? Get into a gap right away and combine so that you can play forward for your team who just won the ball
Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v4 + GKs

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v4 + GKs
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4v4 + GKs (25 mins)

Use a 40*30 grid. Play 4v4/5v5

Encourage players to use what they have learned during the session in the game play. Make sure we praise the players when they try to implement what we worked on during the session.

Coaching Points:

  • Who should pressure on the ball? The closest defender
  • When should you put pressure on the ball? As the ball is travelling to the opponent closest to you. Try to arrive as they arrive
  • What should you do when your teammate is pressuring the ball? Cover so that if my teammate gets beat I am close enough to stop the attacker from going forward
  • What should you do if you get beat/the attackers get by you? Make a recovery run to provide cover for my teammates

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