Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending principles of play- No forward play

1v1 defending (20 mins)

Pitch 15 x 15

8 players

2 min games

To start, the Target player passes to their teammate in the middle who must turn and look to play to the opposite side with the Defender in the middle looking to prevent them from turning.

If successful, the Attacker then becomes the Defender, and vice versa for the other player. The players play for 2 minutes, as the practice is intensive. Swap players from the outside after 2 minutes.

Coaching points:

Defenders need to be in the habit of preventing the Attacker from turning as well as controlling the play and not diving in. Too tight they may get rolled - too far away, they allow the Attacker to turn.

Defenders need to be in a position to see the ball by marking the shoulder of the Attacker. This allows them to be in a position to intercept.

Defenders need to be touch-tight to prevent the Attacker from turning. This is at arm's length to be able to be in a position to Defend if they attempt to turn.

Defenders need to adjust their position depending on where the Attacker takes the ball. This needs to be with short footwork patterns to be able to move quickly.

10v9 conditioned game (30 mins)

Half pitch 10 v 9

The reds start with the ball and look to attack the white team to score a goal.

For the red team (Attackers) - the Full Backs are on two touches, the rest of the team have as many touches as they wish.

Keep score of the game.

Position Specific Technical Coaching Points:

When the ball is played out wide, Outside Centre Backs need to cut down the distance they have to travel by anticipating the pass. This allows them to stay close and be in a position to intercept/tackle as well as block any crosses. Nearest DM needs to drop in to back line to fill the gap. The opposite Outside Centre Back needs to come in line with the post to stay compact and control the opposition.

Defensive Midfielders need to force the opposition backwards by either preventing them from turning or allowing the opposition to play in front of them. 

Attacking  Midfielders need to slide across and be a screen for the Centre Midfielders, preventing the ball from being played forward as well as keeping the ball in front of the team.



Main Defending Principles of Play:

As a team, players need to stay central and control the spaces of the opposition, denying forward options and preventing them from turning in centre midfield. They need to also push them out wide by being compact in the middle.

As the team moves, supporting Defenders need to provide cover and balance for the team and be in a position to press or recover if the first Defender is beaten.