Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending (Start Time: 2014-11-30 21:50:00)

Provide cover (20 mins)

Organisation:

10 x 25m area (above diagram shows two areas)

Numerous players

Balls

Objective: Providing cover for a team mate against an opponent

A ball is passed to an attacker, who has to try and dribble past the defenders and stop the ball at the end line. The two defenders must work as a team to prevent the attacker from doing so, by showing them 'down the line'. The first defender challenges the attacker, the second provides the cover.

Rotate defenders and attackers after a set number of attempts

Key points the defensive team should do:

- Force the attacker down the touchlines

- Stop the attacker running forward

- Stand at a slight angle goalside of the first defender (cover player)

- Excellent communication: 'get closer' ; 'stay low; 'show them down the line'

- The cover player being in a position to be able to make a challenge if the attacker beats the first defender

'Make the attackers play predictable'

Progressions:

- Allow the passer to join in to make it 2v2. The defenders will have to communicate well to become the nearest defender and 'pressure' the attacker with the second defender providing cover.

Sweeper game SSG (30 mins)

Organisation:

20 x 30m area, with 2 goals at each end.

An area marked out with cones for the 'sweeper' area

4 v 4 players

Objective: To demonstrate the use of the 'sweeper' to communicate to his team mates about who to apply the pressure; who should provide cover; and who should provide balance.

Rules:

Normal 4 v 4 game, but the 'sweeper' must remain in their 'area' and communicate to their team mates to give defensive advice.

Key points:

- The 'sweeper' must continually be on the move to block any attackers from scoring

- Give advice constantly to every player

Progressions:

Use one 'sweeper' to create a 4v3 situation in the middle area and use the coach to feed balls into the the team with 4 in order to create an overload situation and create a 1v1 against the 'sweeper'