Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending

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Jordan Mills

Profile Summary

Name:	Jordan Mills
City:	Newcastle
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 1v1 Defending

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1v1 Defending (15 mins)

Defending as a unit: pressing in the final third

Set-Up

15 mins

16 x 8 area

Coach plays the ball to either a blue or green player, as the player out of possession then presses the attacker in a 1v1 situation.

The defender attempts to prevent the attacker from playing forwards and scoring in the small goal. If the defender regains possession they become the attacker and attempt to score in the opposite small goal, as the roles are reversed in the 1v1.

If the ball goes out of play, the Coach feeds in another ball, but the ball may not always be played to the same player; the Coach will decide which player to play the next ball to. Repeat for 2-3 balls then rotates players.

Key Coaching Points

Controlled Approach

Encourage players to press the ball quickly, with a controlled approach, and slow down as they approach the attacker, being careful not to dive in. Once pressure is applied don't move backward.

Distance from Attacker and Body Position

The defender should be up close and touch tight to the player in possession, preventing them from playing the ball around them. The pressing player adopts a half-turned body position so they can react quickly to changes of direction from the attacker.

Prevent the ball from being played forwards

Coach your players to block the forward passing/dribbling options and don't be beaten! If the defender has the attacker facing their own goal prevent them turning.

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1v1 Defending (10 mins)

Set-Up -

Set up two areas, as seen in the above image, with 2 goals in the corners and 6 players per square.

To begin, the defender passes through the legs of the attacker. Once the pass is made, the attacker is active and needs to sprint to the ball to try and lose the defender. The defender is also active and should try and win the ball.

Once the attacker has the ball, they should aim to get to one of the two goals to their left or right behind them.

The attacker receives one point for dribbling through one of the goals. If the defender wins the ball, they must also dribble to one of the goals to score a point. The player who has the most points per square wins. Once the attacker has attacked, they then join the defending line and vice versa.

Key Coaching Points -