Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U7's - Basic Defending 16/07/18

British Bulldogs

Method: 

- 20L x 15W Area with 2 15W x 5L 'Safe Zones'

- Players have to get from one side of the box ('safe zone'), to the other side without getting tagged (if tagged, player throws their bib up in the air and joins team in the middle)

- Winner is last man standingQ&A: Can players make a shape/formation to catch more players out at once? Talk about Defending as a Unit (Pack of Wolves!!)

(Physical - Agility, Balance, Co-ordination, Speed, Psychological - Reaction)

Progressions

1. Add a football! - players dribble across the box, and middle players have to kick the ball out of the box for the player to join them 'on'. As focusing on defenders, can you show players to the sides of the box and use it to your advantage? If ball exits play, player will join you as a defender (this is as in a game, you will regain possession - players rewarded for this)

2. Players can only score through the central blue gate - Why? because then the defenders can show the players down the line away from the central goal to win the ball - linking to key coaching points. If the player dribbles out of the box outside the gate, they join central players 'on' as in a game they would've lost possession.

SSG: 4v4(+1)

Progression:

3 passes = 1 Goal - encourage players to share the ball as well as dominate the 1v1

 Goalkeeper changes every so many minutes to ensure maximal opportunity for all players to enjoy the game in many different positions