Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending in the Middle Third (Start Time: 2018-12-06 13:00:00)

Warm Up (15 mins)

Jack

Whole (15 mins)

Part 2 SSG (15 mins)

6v5

Visual triggers for defenders are:

1. If player receiving the ball does not have control, then tackle and win possession of the ball!

2. If player receiving the ball does have control, then defender has to make a decision as to how closely to apply pressure, whether to contain or delay because they are numbers down, whether to close down space quickly because they are numbers up, and/or whether to force to cover or to the outside, depending upon where they are on the field.

3. Defender on the ball also wants to be aware of the attacking team’s 2nd and 3rd attacking players.

4. If defenders can force the player with the ball into a numbers down situation and cut off weak side players, they are more likely to be effective.

5. If there is immediate and tight pressure on the ball, defenders off the ball can squeeze the space centrally, making the field smaller for the attacking team.

6. If pressure on the ball is light (loose), then cover and balance are looser, as well.

7. The balancing player should recognize third attacker movement off the ball (i.e.: overlapping runs) and shift slightly to weak side if there is loose pressure on the ball. If there is tight pressure, balancing player simply needs to be aware of players coming through, communicating to teammates about when to pick them up, pass them off and

when & where to shift on the field defensively.