Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defense-Pressure/Cover (Start Time: 2016-03-22 18:30:00)

Warm Up (15 mins)

Organization: Team is divided into pairs, and players are 10 yards apart on grid.

Instructions:

1. Players are passing the ball back and forth, until one of the players stops the ball.

2. When the ball is stopped, other player must quickly press and close down his partner.

3. Ball can be stopped at any time during sequence.

Coaching Points:

1. Pressure quickly.

2. Angle of approach.

3. Body position sideways with knees bent.

Progressions:

1. Just close down.

2. Player that stops the ball tries to dribble past incoming defender.

3. Every 4 passes one player must pressure and close down partner.

Main Activity II (20 mins)

Organization: 30x30 area; (2-3 yellow, 4 target, 2-3 red) ; one ball

Instructions:

1. Must receive from one target player and try to play to another.

2.Once target player plays the ball it can come back to him.

3. If opposing player wins the ball, they now try and play to target players.

4. Rotate players after a determined time frame.

Coaching Points:

1. Pressure and close down quickly.

2. Slow down as you approach player.

3. Determine if it is possible to take the ball away or it is better to delay/contain.

Progressions:

1. After receiving from target player you cannot play to them again.