Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): VFC 2010G Practice Session 8/1/23

Rondo 4v3+4 (30 mins)

Rondo 4v3+4: Two pinnie colors, balls, and a 20x20 or 30x30 play area:

Rules:

Inside players are to combine with all teammates before passing to the outsides (4 passes) If the inside player has no option to pass to another inside player they can pass to an outside player but the pass count restarts when the ball is played into the middle. Inside players have no touch limit as they are encouraged to dribble to space to find an opening. Outside players have a two touch limit on the ball.  If an outside player passes across the box to another outside player it counts as two passes,  the inside players on need to combine with two players to play back outside. Change defenders and inside players every 2-3 minutes. 

Defenders have no touch limit. One player pressures the ball, the other two try to cut passing lanes and intercept the ball. If possession is won by the defenders they must combine with teammates (3 passes) and then play back to coach to reset the drill. Defenders must stay in the box. They also have to win possession, no kicking or clearing the ball. 

Press & Cover Defending in Threes #3

The players work in groups of 3. The coach has the ball in the center and there are 3 players waiting on the red, yellow, and blue cones.

• The coach passes to the right and the player on the blue cone moves forward quickly and passes back with one touch
• As soon as the coach passes the ball, 2 players on the yellow and red cones move over to press and cover
• Once the ball has been passed back, all 3 players move to their starting position

Defending in the Box: Attacking Overload (20 mins)

SETUP

• 36 yards wide by 35 yards long
• 4 attackers vs. 3 defenders with goalie
• Play a 4 vs. 3 game in the area
• Any attacking player can shoot on the goal
  
• The mannequins act as an offside line
  

Progression 2 - 5 vs. 4

Key Coaching Points

• 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. BE PATIENT and wait for the attackers to make a mistake.
• Cover - Non-pressing defensive players need to provide support to the challenging defender
• 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.
  
• Communication - Defensive players MUST verbally communicate with teammates to ensure cohesion
  
• Man-Marking - in an attacking overload situation, defensive players need to play a zone cover defense and mark tightly any attacker that moves into their zone.
• 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