Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): U12 DA They 2-3-4 Defending/preventing the long ball

THEY Clearing/long ball defending techniques warm up (20 mins)

Organization:

- Players in pairs 5 yards apart

- One player throws to the other for 1 minute, then swap

- First working on heading (clearing)

- Then clearing a bouncing ball on the ground

- Thrown in the air, controlling then clearing

- Cleared first time in the air

- Then played on the ground, controlled and then cleared

- Players clearing it into the fence to minimize running

Coaching Points:

- Planting foot, body position, heading with forehead

- Running through the ball (bouncing), locking ankle

- Controlling the ball to the sides, not straight

- Clearing with correct foot

- Clearances (high wide far)

- Proper throws

Progressions / Variations:

THEY 2-3-4 Long ball (prevent/defend) 9v9 (35 mins)

Organization:

- 9v9

- If attackers can score off a long ball in the air, they get 3 points

- If defenders get the attackers offside, they get 1 point

Coaching Points:

- Pressure on the ball to prevent a long pass

- 2/3/5 recognising whether they can step or drop based on pressure on the ball/attackers body position

- Communication by 3/1 on whether to drop or step

- Starting position of the 1

- When the long ball is played, one player challenges (communicates it), the other 2 drop/cover (communicate it), and keeper communicates if it is his ball or not

- Proper technique when clearing ball (decision on whether to clear or control)

Progressions / Variations:

- As soon as attackers play into next zone they can move