Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): RHS - Improve defending in own half

Back 4 warmup (10 mins)

Setup:

Cones setup as shown.

4 lines (1 line for each position in back four)

Activity:

1) 4 players come out from lines and coach serves 3 balls in. Player receives and plays back in two touches and other players move to cover/balance positions behind ball.

2) Progress to remove inner cones and use outer cones.

After the 3 balls have been played, players jog around outside cones and technical work back:  headers, volleys

Midfield phase of play - defending (20 mins)

Setup:

2 teams

both teams in 4-3-3

70x20 square near half

Activity:

Ball starts with dark team (defenders) where it's 5v7 in midfield.  Score by completing 10 passes.

When white wins the ball they try to score in big goal.  If dark team wins ball they try to get back to midfield to get 10 passes.

Coaching Points:

+ #6 supporting the play to intercept counter-attack

+ Back 4 holding high line when we have the ball; aggressively step to stop counter-attack or loose balls

+ #2/3 reading pressure on ball to know when to step (good pressure) vs when to drop (no pressure on the ball)