Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Pressure, Cover, Balance (Start Time: 2015-01-22 17:30:00)

Back Foot Receiving (20 mins)

Set up

The area is set up in a diamond.

Player passing and receive on their back foot around the diamond. Players must follow their pass.

Repeat going the opposite direction.

Key Points

1. Movement to receive

2. Weight and accuracy of passing

3. Where does the ball need to be played - tight to feet or into space

4. First touch - direction, weight, into your running stride

5. Surface to receive

6. Indication/communication to receive

Psychological/Social

- Positive attitude

- Dealing with mistakes

Defending Outnumbered (3v4) (30 mins)

Practice Organisation

*Area 40x30 yards set out in equal thirds with goals at each end.

*14 players (+2 GKs), with defenders out numbered 3v4 in each end third.

*Practice starts with Neutral players in middle third, serve ball into Attackers & support play from behind, without entering end third.

Objective of practice, Defenders play outnumbered to pvevent Attackers from scoring, gain possession and in to Neutral player to score one point.

Rotate roles of players.

Details

Distance between 3 defenders when being attacked by four opponents.

Communication, changing roles and working with GK as sweeper.

Deflecting attacks away from central goal scoring areas.

Balanced, controlled 1v1 defending skills.

Defenders identifying opportunity to pass or run with ball on gaining possession.

Key Coaching Points

1. Blocking shots.

2. Pressing man on ball and employing delaying tactics to avert attack.

3. Marking and covering

4. Winning ball and quickly playing forward to Neutral player.