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Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Zonal Defending - Full Progression

Profile Summary

David Daily
Name: David Daily
City: Amarillo
Country: United States of America
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Warm Up

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Warm Up
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Warm Up

5v2 Warm up Outfield Players

10x10 grid

Coaching Points

  • Immediate Pressure
  • Covering distance
  • Balance
  • Double when possible
  • Maintain good coverage distance
  • Body shape (3/4 turn, sideways on)
  • When to tackle/when to jockey

    • Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Flags/Shadow Play

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    Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Flags/Shadow Play
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    Flags/Shadow Play

    Six flags placed on the field

    10 outfield players + GK

    Shadow play

    Players adjust team shape based on the flag chosen by the coach. Should be fluid coordinated movements

    Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v2+GK

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    Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v2+GK
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    4v2+GK

    2 v 4 + GK

    2 attacking players attack the back 4. Attackers can dribble/pass/shoot on goal

    Coaching points:

    • Defenders must maintain tight shape 
    • All 4 must shift in unison
    • Lateral runs get passed on across the field
    • Vertical runs must be tracked unless offside
    • Leave the widest player on the opposite side - back side defender must be able to see this player and the ball without turning his head
    • When to tackle/jockey
    • Time of flight and reaction time to change of point
    • Read pressure on the ball. No pressure = drop off/ good pressure = step tight
    • Always press player's first touch if within distance
    • Cover defender can tell if he's in the right position by being on the inside (Goal side) shoulder of the defender pressing the ball. Balance defenders should be in a position to press or close down passing lanes.
    Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v3+GK

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    Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v3+GK
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    4v3+GK

    Back 4v3 + GK functional

    3 forwards attacking the goal.

    4 Defenders 

    Players rotate every repetition

    Progression 1

    - 3 attackers circulate the ball side to side to force defenders to shift

    Progression 2

    - 3 Attackers circulate the ball - wide players will serve balls into the back 4 for aerial defense

    1. On coaches command (to allow coach to adjust positioning)

    2. On their own but must show obvious visual cue for long ball (long preparation touch and step)

    Progression 3

    - 3 attackers attack goal free play

    Coaching Points

  • Immediate Pressure
  • Covering distance
  • Balance
  • Pass on horizontal runs
  • Double when possible
  • Maintain good coverage distance
  • Body shape (3/4 turn, sideways on)
  • When to tackle/when to jockey

    • Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v4+GK

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    Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4v4+GK
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    4v4+GK

    4v4+GK

    1 High forward, 1 ACM, 2 wide players

    Play starts with ACM

    Defenders adjust to passes/dribbling/changes of point of attack

    Coaching Points

  • Immediate Pressure
  • Covering distance
  • Balance
  • Pass on horizontal runs
  • Double when possible
  • Maintain good coverage distance
  • Body shape (3/4 turn, sideways on)
  • When to tackle/when to jockey

    • Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 5v3+GK

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    Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 5v3+GK
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    5v3+GK

    5 v 4 +GK

    5 outfield attack the goal

    Attacking emphasis: 

    • Dribbling to penetrate, 
    • combination play, 
    • overlapping runs - to force defenders to adjust positioning and work Press/Cover/Balance

    Coaching Points

  • Immediate Pressure
  • Covering distance
  • Balance
  • Pass on horizontal runs
  • Double when possible
  • Maintain good coverage distance
  • Body shape (3/4 turn, sideways on)
  • When to tackle/when to jockey
  • Track vertical runs

    • Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4 flag goals

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    Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 4 flag goals
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    4 flag goals

    4 flag goals lined up 40 yards from defending goal (Final third)

    4 defenders +GK v 8 outfield players

    Outfield players must play through gate in order to enter final third.

    Coaching points:

    • Immediate Pressure
    • Covering distance
    • Balance 
    • Pass on horizontal runs
    • Double when possible
    • Maintain good coverage distance
    • Body shape (3/4 turn, sideways on)
    • When to tackle/when to jockey
    • Track vertical runs
    • Flags are natural offside line

    Progression

    1. Add 2 midfielders for defending team to make 6v4 and eventually progress to 8v8

    2. Remove flags and add second goal +GK and play 9v9

    Build 3D sessions in seconds
    Access to 1000’s of sessions
    Professionalise and modernise your coaching
    Used by the world’s best coaches
    US$
    75
    per year
    Join today

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