Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Defensive Pressure

4v2 (25 mins)

4v2 Defending Space to Win Back Possession: 10 x 8 yds. (25 min.)

- Can go 5v2, 6v2, or 6v3 in 18x12 yard grid, if needed

- 2 touches, can progress to 1 or 2-touch/1-touch

- Defenders work in pairs for 60 second rounds

- Attacking team scores if they connect 7 passes

Possible Progressions:

A) Attackers score any time a defender cannot make play predictable and gets beat

B) Attackers also score anytime they get split

C) Defenders score if they can win back possession

Objectives: 

1) Recognize what space (line) is most dangerous

2) Make space as small as possible: Execute closing down technique at proper angle to make play predictable and then get REAL ball pressure.

Coaching Points:

- Recognize what space to defend based on what is most dangerous

- Defend that line/space to make play predictable at ALL COSTS! Be disciplined in this.

- Communicate! "I go!" "Force left!"

- Close down hard with proper technique and body position (low, small steps as you get close, proper distance)

- Start being clever to bait attacker into playing where you want so you can win back possession

- Understand what to do when you win the ball: Pass, dribble, keep it?

11v11 Small (30 mins)

11v11 Small: High Pressure Def./Maintaining Possession Under Pressure (35 min.)

- 10 passes = 1 point

- Wall pass = 1 point

- Shot on goal = 1 points

- Goals = 5 points

- 3 touch maximum or unlimited

Objectives:

1) Focus to Recognize what space is most dangerous.

2) Work Rate to Execute closing down to apply REAL pressure and make space as small as possible.

3) Press together (compactness/balance) to win possession back when possible, without risking penetration.

Coaching Points:

- Recognize the most dangerous space to defend and your role/responsibility

- Time your pressure

- COMMIT to pressing when you go

- Get ball pressure when possible!

- Focus on 1v1 Def.

- COMMUNICATION: I go! Force left!

- Focus to get organized and defend as a unit: High pressure or low pressure?

- Stay compact as a unit: Spacing is more important than the ball or opponent!!!

- Defensive roles: 9 defends GK/6/space between, 7/11 defends outside backs/CBs/space in between, 8/10/6 man mark MF 3 on outside shoulders to force them inside, outside backs read the game to step high and inside when needed

- Discipline to stay within role... Do you have to win the ball?

N/A: Tom, Joe, Declan, Cole, Diaz, Diego G.

Blue Team: Ayo (Nylmar), Louie, Selway, Eddie (Nick), Max, Sanchez (Barrios), Barrios (Jesus), Cisse (Finn), Shawn (AP), Elias, Owen (Vic)

Yellow Team: Sam (Fernando), Garvey, Ozzie, AP (Adam), Nick (Devin), Ocampo (Mike), Finn (Ocampo), Reo, Dom (Lex), Jesus (Eddie), Lex (Shawn)