Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending in the initial 3rd - Recovery Runs

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Pro-Club: FAI - Coach Education

Robert Murtagh

Profile Summary

Robert Murtagh
Name: Robert Murtagh
City: Lucan
Country: Ireland
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Defending warm up

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Defending warm up
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Defending warm up

Method: Warm up for Defending

Zone 1 - jogging and dynamic stretches.

Zone 2 - Agility ladder exercise and cone weaving - mimic footwork required to jockey

Zone 3 - Close down and retreat, players go 1v1 to close down the player with the ball. Player retreats to base line and continually closes down - staying low and maintaining the defensive stance

Zone 4 - closing down 1v1, player tries to score into small goal, other player must prevent them.

Coaching Points:



Zone 1 - jogging and dynamic stretches.

Zone 2 - mimic footwork required to jockey

Zone 3 - staying low and maintaining the defensive stance

Zone 4 - press/delay and execute tackle.


Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 1v1 Recovery Runs

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 1v1 Recovery Runs
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1v1 Recovery Runs

Method: 1v1 Recovery Runs

Blues attack, reds defend. Coaches plays blue in on goal, red must tackle/intercept the ball to prevent a shot at goal. if reds win the ball or the keeper catches it he transitions through the red cones back to the coach.

Progression - small time delay until the defender can enter.

Coaching Points:

Recovery Run - Immediate reaction, sprint back, head up, angle of recovery run.

Pressure - must move fast to catch the attacker and get goal side, slow down so they're not beaten, side on to show attacker towards sideline, low to make sure if the defender is able to check inside they can adjust.

Body Positioning - After making the recovery run and applying pressure the player must execute a tackle. Reds should concentrate on distance between themselves and the opponent, whilst positioning themselves between the goal and the opponent/ball. 


Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 2v2 Recovery Runs

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 2v2 Recovery Runs
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2v2 Recovery Runs

Method: 2v2 Recovery Runs

Blues attack reds defend. Blues in area 1 play the ball to their team mate in area 2, blue receiver can move into the pitch as soon as their team mate strikes the ball. Reds in area 1 can enter once the blue counterpart plays the ball. Reds in area 2 can only enter when their counterpart takes their first touch.

Blues pass must pass the green line. Progression - move the green line, closer to goal to make it harder, further away to make it easier

Coaching Points:

Recovery Run - Immediate reaction, sprint, head up, angle of recovery run to cover the spare blue player.

Pressure - must apply pressure as far from goal as possible and get goal side, slow down so they're not beaten, side on to show attacker towards sideline, DELAY until recovering defender is in position. 

Cover - Recovering defender should take up the cover position behind and to the side of teammate on whichever side the attacker without the ball is.


Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v4 Recovery Runs

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v4 Recovery Runs
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4v4 Recovery Runs

Method: 4v4 Recover Runs

Reds defend, blues attack. Simulating a pass played in behind the back 4. Coach plays the pass into one of the shaded areas. Red players must recover in the shape of their back 4 and transition into the goals on the wings.

Progression - add time delayed midfielders or alter reds positions to add a complexity to reorganising their back 4.

Coaching Points:

Recovery Run - Immediate reaction, sprint, head up, angle of recovery run, blue FB to close down the winger with the ball, delay attack until back 4 is in position.

Pressure - full back should position themselves to show the winger wide and away from goal.

Cover - nearest CB should cover the FB incase he is beaten whilst needing to be aware of any danger posed by blue 9/10 towards the front of the goal.

More Cover - furthest CB should cover the closest CB and again be aware of danger posed by 9/10 in the centre of the goal.

Balance - should be provided by the opposite FB to defend the back post and be aware of the opposition winger.


Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 7v7 Free Game

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 7v7 Free Game
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7v7 Free Game

Method: 7v7 Free Game

No throw ins, players kick the ball in from the sideline, increases speed and likelihood of needing to make recovery runs from balls in behind.

Coaching Points:


Free practice to finish


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