Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Defend Against Fast Break and Finishing

Warm Up

10 Minutes

OBJECTIVE:

To prepare players for training session.

ORGANIZATION:

Need roughly 5x15 yard space per setup. Need six cones, at start place two cones to create a gate, in middle 5 yards from the gate place three cones(~1.5 yards apart), the last cone is 5 yards from last cone in the middle. Target 3-4 per line.

KEY WORDS:

Focus, Effort, Awareness

SUGGESTED/EXAMPLE WARM UPs:

1) In gate - toe taps, popcorn, run in place, etc. 2) Initiate on whistle(following players go on whistle or after player in front reaches a certain point). 3) Sprint, jog, skip, side shuffle, etc. from gate to middle section. 4) Two Feet Together Hop, Side Shuffle, High Knees, etc. over each cone. 5) Sprint, jog, skips, etc. to last cone. 6) Go around last cone sprint, back pedal, etc. to end of line.

NOTES:

Coaches are encouraged to vary activities, e.g. dribble ball through setup, right/left foot only, etc.

Finishing Drill

20 Minutes

Organization:

Finishing and recovery is a one v one practice, with emphasis placed on
speed of reaction and acceleration to get away from chasing defenders. The coach must play a
neutral pass and call a number for 2 players to attack. The player winning possession must break
through one of two gates to attack goal and finish. If defender makes a tackle after the attacker
breaks through the gate, they must clear the ball.

 
If possession is won before the attacker gets through the gate, they then become the attacking
player.

Coaching Points:

Finishing and recovery is a one v one practice, with emphasis placed on speed of reaction and acceleration to get away from chasing defenders. The coach must play a neutral pass and call a number for 2 players to attack. The player winning possession must break through one of two gates to attack goal and finish. If defender makes a tackle after the attacker breaks through the gate, they must clear the ball. If possession is won before the attacker gets through the gate, they then become the attacking player.

Questions:

1. What types of quick movements can you use to evade defenders? Skill Moves, Change Pace/Speed
2. Can you get across your defender when running through on goal? 
3. When 1 v 1 with the goalkeeper, which type of finishes are you able to produce?

Scrimmage

5v5 in 7v7 field (70x50 yards)