Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Screening/Intercepting

Screen 1

Practice Set Up

Area size 35x20 (split into 2 end zones of 15x20 plus a central zone of 5x20)

2 greens at each end and 1 defending blue in the central area

[practice area and player numbers can be varied depending on ability level]

Practice starts by the coach playing a ball to a green player. Green players pass and move in their own zone to create space for a longer pass to the opposite end zone - to start with this pass must be along the floor. The Blue player in the middle zone tries to screen passes and intercept as the longer pass is made.

Progressions

Add defending players (vary size of area accordingly)

Allow defenders to swap with attacking players if the ball is intercepted

Allow defenders to attack end zone if the ball is intercepted

Key factors

Anticipation/decisive movement

Quick footwork

Forcing play

Challenges

Can you try to screen passes (get in the way of)

Can you try to anticipate where the pass from one end to the other might be played

Can to try to force play in a particular direction (make play predictable)

Screen 3

Practice Set Up

Area size half 9v9 pitch

3 greens v 2 blues [practice area and player numbers can be varied depending on availability and ability level]

Practice starts by the coach playing a ball to a green player. Green players pass and move to create space for a goalscoring opportunity. The blue players try to screen passes and intercept.

A safe zone can be set up which attacking players cannot shoot in (to protect GK)

Progressions

Allow defender if they intercept ball to pass to the coach's feet or alternatively allow them to drive with the ball through the cones set up in the channels to score.

Key factors

Communication between defenders

Balanced/controlled 1v1 defending skills

Look at angles and distances between defenders

Can defenders intercept pass or screen away from central area

Anticipation/decisive movement

Quick footwork

Challenges (defenders)

Can you try to screen passes (get in the way of)

Can you try to anticipate where the pass from one end to the other might be played

Can to try to force play in a particular direction (make play predictable)

Can you upon recovering the ball make an early decision whether to break quickly through the gates or look to retain posession by passing to the coach's feet

Can you react to any rebounds