Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending in Wide Areas

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Name:	Ash Snadd
City:	london
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Function

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Learning Objectives

	Technical Use of Clearing techniques such as Heading, Volleying and Passing.
	Tactical Use of Zonal Marking from crosses from Wide Areas.
	Physical How to use your body when challenging for the ball for a header to block a cross.
	Psychological When to press the ball, when to drop into position and to take leadership of the Defensive Unit.
	Social Communication between players when passing players on between Zones.

Function (20 mins)

Working with the Defensive Unit (GK,LB,RB)

- 2 wide channels are marked off from Goal line to the Goals placed on the half-way line.

- Using flat markers, Divide the 18-yard area into 3 Zones.

- When the ball is played wide, defending Full-backs can Press the wide players and try to block the cross.

Key Aspects of Positioning for Defensive Players.

- Full-Back presses the ball to attempt to block/stop cross.

- Nearest CB to the ball, recovers and takes up a position near the Front Post area.

- Other CB positions themselves in the Centre of the 18yard area (Between 6 yard and Penatly spot).

- Opposite Full-Back covers around and takes up the Back-Post area.

- CDM drops into the Edge of the 18 yard area to pick up late runners or any lose balls.

- Defensive Unit MUST try to keep a solid line throughout the Practice

If the ball is cleared away or possession is won by the defensive team they have 7 seconds to try to get the ball into the goals placed on the half-way line. Any of the players can attempt the pass the ball into the goals. (These goals are there so that the defending team have a chance to play out if they win the ball but also, Wide Midfielders should be there during a real game).

DEFENSIVE TECHNIQUES.

-Speed of Press/Recovery – Players should be encouraged to press and recover quickly. This running shouldn’t be done slowly but instead with players sprinting to either press or recover back into their shape. If players are to press, it’s important they slow down as they approach to ensure they’re not beaten by the opposition player with the ball.

Angle of Approach/Recovery – As players approach, they should look to do this at an angle to help to allow them to block off passes from the player that they’re pressing that could be played behind them. Pressing at an angle may also help individuals dictate the ball a certain way

Body Shape – Players body shape should be side on when pressing to help players to force them one way. Players should look to have their knees bent with one foot in front of the other with their chest slightly pointed towards the ground to maintain a low centre of gravity. This will also help players to be able to shift their weight and pivot when changing direction when defending 1v1 etc.

Use of Body – When defending, players should look to use their arms and their body to help them to win possession from the opponent. A bent arm will allow the defender to omit more force and the use of the hip and thigh can also be used to off balance the attacker too.

Front/Back Foot – Players should look to use their front foot to help them to win the ball back from their opponent. The use of their front foot allows the defender to win the ball back with their body whilst also being able to adjust if they aren’t able to win it, often the back foot can be used for ‘emergency defending’.

Stopping Cross- Mirror the attacker's steps to stop the cross and avoid getting beat or turned- should match the attacker step for step

Defending when the attacker is traveling at speed- Rather than backpedaling when the attacker is running at us can we travel forwards with our head facing backward/showing the attacker one way. This way were able to change direction quicker

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): SSG

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SSG

SSG - 9v9. Formations - Blues/Reds 4-2-1 vs 3-3-1

Objectives & Conditions.

BLUES;

- not to conceed a goal

- 10 seconds to score a goal when in possession.

- Try not to get done on the inside and avoid being split by passes.

REDS;

- Try to score by breaking down defensive unit.

- Try too avoid shooting from range if possible but can if you need or want too.

- Play High and Wide and on the shoulders of Blue defenders.

Individual Player Roles;

Blues;

- 1/GK - Organise and Command Defence, Tell them where they should be and if they need to check shoulder to scan for players. Have a good starting position.

2 & 3 - Show attackers outside, block any crosses. When ball is crossed off opposite wing aim to be positioned between the back post & edge of 6 yard area.

5 & 6 - aim to stay roughly 10 yards apart or less. when one player commits to a tackle other should drop off and recover into position for second ball or to clear up if any loose balls of unsuccessful tackle. If ball is crossed into the box 1 CB aim to be front post & other CB try to be inline with penalty spot to clear.

4 - protect CB's, screen passes, only commit to tackles if positive about winning ball back. Cover run between CB when beat or ball is wide, Protect edge of area when crosses being played, aim to be between the penalty spot and edge of 18 yard area to pick up any cut backs.

8 & 10 - Help 4 protect and screen passes, show attackers outside, look to play 9 through when in possession.

9 - try to score, help track back when opposition defence dribble out.

RED TEAM;

- Play high and wide, always look to get in behind and play through the Blue Team. Wingers stay out wide, look to cross the ball early into dangerous areas. Striker look to get behind and play on the inside shoulder if possible or drop and link up with other but look to spin and get in behind, stay active and try to move blue defensive unit around and out of positions.