Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Training Plan - Session 8 - Defending - TF

Technical Defending (15 mins)

Technical 1v1/2v1 (20 mins)

Red player will pass the ball out to either side of the cones. They will then will close it down and adding pressure to the attacker. The defending red player should approach attacker, side-on blocking the goal and pressuring the attacker to force them away from goal.

When the Blue player is receiving the pass, they need to run around either cone before receiving the ball and then attacking  towards the goal.

Points allocated for defender who can run the ball to the cones or points for the attacking team to score a goal.

Mechanics: 

Speed and Angle of Approach

Body Position - slightly side on to the ball to force the attacker where you want them to go.

Body Shape - low, knees bent and on toes, mirror attackers feet.

Standing foot planted - tackling foot locked in position.

Strong tackling action to make contact with, and clear the ball away from the attacker. 

Coaching Points:

Side on body position

Which foot to tackle with

Patience - don't dive in, tackle at the right moment. 

Firm tackle to come up with the ball

Quick Feet - readiness for having to make a 2nd tackle. 

Progression

2 attackers vs 1 defender

2 defenders vs 1 attacker

Setting a time limit for each play

Regression

Narrowing the size of the playing area

Small Sided Game (20 mins)

Small Sided Game

Half field / 6v5 or 5v4

Instructions:

Regular game but But attackers vs defenders, where Red team to be defending and ushering the attackers (blue) away from goal.

Coaching Points

- Timing of move (recognising which side the attackers are coming from)

- Protecting the goal.

- Communication - defenders and defending GK, continually conversing and updating each other, of positions of attackers. 

Progressions

Add further players to the attacking team if limited attacks from the Blues.

Multiple balls around the pitch for a quick start, so defence is under constant pressure. 

Introduce Offside rule for defenders to play to this, and consider this in their positioning and comunications. 

Regressions

Remove the Blues GK completely for Yellows score or and create the GK as a Sweeper.