Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending - Presure, Cover, Balance

Pressing Warm Up (15 mins)

Organization: 4 tall cones, all the balls at coach, players scattered evenly across the cones

Instructions:

P1:

-First pass comes in from coach, player directly across from where the ball goes must sprint to press the passer.

-Pass right (black dash line) move left (blue line)

-When you go to press (red lines) you go to the back of the line you are pressing

P2:

-Now the passers can pass either direction but still must be two touches

-Pressing pattern is still the same (press directly across)

Coaching Points:

P1:

-Close down the space quickly

-Close down the side they aren't passing

-Aniticipate when you have to press so you can move in quickly

-Pass then move immediately, open up that space

P2:

-Close down either side as the presser

-Since the players passing can go either direction then you must watch for cues from the person currently pressing the ball whether you will have to go press or wait for a pass

-Do not come in at too much of an angle, they player could go straight, close down the IDEA of going one way

Progressions:

2

Back line press Expanded (20 mins)

Organization: Same grid as used for the previous drill but with the addition of a goalkeeper with an extra 10 yards where the two target men are

Instructions:

-Same as previous, ball starts at the two target men trying to get the ball to the four attackers. Once the attackers have their pass limit they go to 4v4 against the defenders.

-NOW expanded: Once the four defenders win the ball they now work the ball to the two midfeilders and they do a 2v2 to goal.

Coaching Points:

-Same as before; No perssure on the ball? Drop to prevent balls over the top, once one steps we all must step and get a bit more compact.

-Now, can we get out of the defensive half before the other team can win it back?

-As the midfielders What are our cues of where we need to be in order to best benefit our defenders?

Progressions:

n/a