Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending to Protect the Goal / Box

Warm Up - Ball Mastery (10 mins)

Field Size:

• 25 x 25 yard field

Duration of Exercise:

• 10 minute technical reps and touches on the ball.

Rules:

• All players with a ball each at their feet
• Do not let the ball stop moving

Coaching Points:

• Keep me ball close to your body
• Attack space at speed when possible
• Use of all surfaces of the feet
• Moves and skills on the ball - v turn, L turn, step overs, boxes, etc.

Main Activity - 2v2 The Cage (15 mins)

Field Size:

• 30 x 40

Duration of Exercise:

• 5 minute running clock x 1 minute break for coaching points

Rules:

• Everyone gets into a pair
• Game starts as a 2v2 until a pair score
• The team that scores subs off on the side they score and a new pair dribble on
• The team that gets scored on stay on and defend the opposition goal
• Have to score to get off the field. If ball goes out of bounds, pair get a ball from their goalie 

Coaching Points:

• how should we approach the ball when pressuring?
• why should we do this?
• Can we defend our box?
• when we start getting tired, focus and concentration at the most

Final Game (15 mins)

Scrimmage

• Regular game with normal rules - kick in instead of throw ins (adapt numbers and rules to fit with your group).
• Check for understanding of the training session.