Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending in Box

Animation 1 (20 mins)

SETUP

• 36 yards wide by 35 yards long
• 3 vs. 3 with goalie
• Play a 3 vs. 3 game in the area
• Any attacking player can shoot on the goal
  
• The mannequins act as an offside line
  

Progression 2 - 4 vs. 4

• Stay Compact - players need to stay compact and prevent the opposition from playing forward or shooting
• Emergency Defending - when in this part of the field, the defensive players have a sense of urgency, aggressiveness, be brave and expect to block shots from the opposition as well as look to clear the ball from the area
• Pressing - one defender must press, delay, and deny the attacking player with the ball. NO DIVING
• Body Shape - sideways body position always directing player away from the goal to the touchline. The defender will have a less sideways body position if the ball is directly in front of the goal always ensuring a shot can be blocked by their body.
• Awareness / Focus - defensive players should always be extremely aware of everything and everyone around them (including defending teammates). Constant scanning (no ball watching only) of the field is necessary while, at the same time, knowing the location of the ball.
• Man-Marking - when not in an attacking overloaded situation, defensive players need to mark tightly any attacker in the central area
• Maintaining Position - it is critical that although man-marking is extremely important, in this area, the defensive player must NOT let the opposition player draw them out of a position of staying compact and protecting the goal while always knowing where that player is located (scanning)
• Clearing the Ball - it is crucial that once the defensive players win the ball they clear it the wide areas of the field, out to the touchline or out to the end line ASAP