Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending Counter Attacks

Stage I Technical Warmup 2v2 Counters (15 mins)

Stage I Technical Warmup "2v2 Counters"

-Two teams of 3

-24x12 grid including endzones (Create two grids,16 cones per grid, end zone is 3yds)

-2 v2 in the grid. Third player acts as a server.

-Teams score by dribbling the ball into the end zone

-As the attacking player dribbles the ball into the end zone, the server pass a ball into their teammate to create a quick counter.

-The player that just dribbled in must now transition back.

Coaching Points:

-First Defender delays by defending the space & slowing the attackers down.

-Use the sideline as a second defender to try and create a 1v1.

-Second defender transitions back quickly to get back behind the ball.

-When players are behind the ball, slow down the attack and try to force the play back.

Stage III Exapanded Small Side Activity 5v4 Defending, Recovering Mids (30 mins)

Stage III Exapanded Small Side Activity "5v4 Defending, Recovering Mids"

-Midfield to one big goal, and two small counter attack goals (6 cones, 2 agility poles)

-Blue plays to the big goal, red plays to small goals

-Players should start at cones

-Red team defending

-Red plays the ball into the attacking team(blue team), then must sprint around agility poles before recovering to play defense

-Two resting players sub out with CMs

Progression:

-Add a Center forward for the green team to play 5v5

Coaching Points:

-Reds must recover quickly and organize

-Must delay to get help

-Once help arrives, defense is numbers up so force the play into pressure

-Recover centrally