Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Defending Principles

Sm Sided Game: Pressing in Groups (20 mins)

Group Defending in 3's (15 min)

• Groups of 3 are 5yds apart, facing opposition on either end of area. • Practice starts with: ball fed-in by coach to one team who proceed to attack opponents 3v3 & move the ball (under control) into opponents’ end zone to score.

CP • Pressing distance, stance & balance. • Support distance, depth, angle & team balance. • Tracking runners whilst maintaining eye-contact with ball & developing play. • Defending against wall-passes & movement of A’s. • Simple progressions for this practice are:

- Add 1 player on each side line to assist team in possession &

increase potential to make wall-passes.

- Add 1 player in opponent’s end zone to play into & receive a return pass

before entering end zone: this increases need for D’s to consider

screening passes to A's.

Coaching Points

• Early decision to attack or defend. • Take personal responsibility for opponent when deciding to defend. • Press, cover, support & track opponents. • Concentration & managing player inter-changes of position, as a unit of three. Defensive play whilst ‘in balance’

ESSG/SSG (30 mins)

ESSG (15 min)

4-1-2 v 3-1-3: 3 min or two goals rotate teams

Restrictions: Connect 5 passes prior to scoring

Coaching Points:

A: Progression of 1 & 2 touch passing

B: Create angles of support

C: Look for switch

SSG (15 min) No Restrictions