Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending - Knowledge + Information

2v2 Defending (20 mins)

Organization:

-create 2 or 3 grids of 20x10 yards

-8 to 12 players

-6 to 8 cones (depening on grids)

Procedure:

Players A+B are the attackers. Player C+D are the Defenders. All balls behind the attackers goal posts. The attacker must run and turn to get the ball behind their own net and than may start his/her attack toward the opposite goal. The attackers objective is to dribble the ball into the goal.

The DEFENDERs are released once the attacker moves to get the ball. one of the DEFENDERs must close down the attacker as quickly as possible Showing them the "surfboard" technique ( On a angle and only showing the ttacker one foot.) S/he should then try to push the player to one side and when the time is right to "dive" in for the ball.

While the other defender hangs back a bit to Support his teammate in defending the goal. So if the attacker dekes out the 1st defender, the second defneder comes in to aid his teammate(Jockey and delay) so the defender who just got beat can back and now be his new support.

If the attacker chooses to pass the ball to his team. The defender who was directly on the ball, should back up and now support his teammate who is now applying pressure on the ball and surfboarding the new attacker.

Once the ball goes out of bounds, the next players can go. If the defender can win the ball, they can dribble through the opposite net.

STOP

DEMO

REHEARSE

LIVE

Have the players rotate. Player A, goes to B, Player B goes to C, Player C to D and Player D to A. Of course only have the player go there once they've have a turn at the line up they are at.

Coaching Points:

-Surfboard defending technique

-Pushing player to one side of the grid, or out of bounds.

- QUICKLY getting into surfboard postion and forcing the attacker to make a decision

- Protecting your own goal

-Ping Pong Defending, both players should not be up top defending in a line.

-Support defending

SSG (15 mins)

Set Up: Quarter field at Pine Glen. Balls along the outside.

6v6 or 7v7.

Players: 2 teams of 6 or 7 players. 1 goalkeeper for each team.

Description: Play 6v6 (including GK) - All regular rules apply, including retreat line. Team that scores stays and quickly attacks the other way (after scoring).

Key Factors:

All coaching points from the session - Focus on Defending. Look for players to get in behind the ball and make the right decision as to when to press and when not to press. Ensure the defending team is not allowing penetrating passes to go through and have good overall shape.

STOP

DEMO

REHEARSE

LIVE