Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Shadow Play: Defending as a unit

Shadow Play: Defending as a unit

Setup:

- 2 teams of 3 or 4

- 1 large goal or 2 small goals

- 5 yd endzone

- All balls behind endzone

Instruction:

- Red team plays the ball back and forth between them

- Blue team moves as a group to shut down passing and shooting lanes

- Blue cannot enter the endzone and Red cannot exit

- If blue wins possession they can play to waiting reds

- Make sure both groups get to play offense and defense

Progressions:

1) Red can choose to shoot at goal at any time while blue tries to block their shots

2) Add a red and allow one red to enter field of play and score to work on 3rd man runs

3) Play 4 v 4 and play is live as soon as red enters the field of play

Coaching Points:

- Can we stay compact on defense?

- Move as a unit (communicate)

- Pressure, Cover, Balance (go over each ones role)

- Notice shooting cues and apply pressure to block shots

- Emphasize confidence in blocking shots

- Look to find 3rd man runs through build up play (moving defenders(