Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Middle Block Defending (Start Time: 2023-11-16 00:00:00)

Defensive Shadow Play

Setup: 60x50 yard area (adjust as necessary)
Outfield players: 14
Goalkeepers: 2
Equipment: Seven flags/coaching sticks/mannequins and seven colored vests
Timing: 10-15 minutes

Description:
1.  Coach calls a color (black, green, white, yellow, blue, purple or orange), and the team moves to defend the ball from that position.  The team returns to starting shape (1-3-3-1) when the coach calls "ball."
2.  Players move from color to color without returning to starting shape.
*Coach both teams*

Phase Play

Setup:  60 x 50 yard grid (adjust as necessary)
Outfield players: 14
Goalkeepers: 2

Shapes: 1-3-3-1 v 1-2-3-2
Equipment:  Colored cones
Timing: 3, 5-minute games

Description:
1.  Play begins with ball from the red team goalkeeper.  Players may not leave their zones. Blue team scores by winning the ball back and dribbling across the red line.  Red team attacks the goal.  Every red team goal brings the blue team's score back to 0.
2.  One player may bump up a zone when their team is in possession.  Players must return to their original zone if the opponent establishes possession.  Blue team may attack the goal after dribbling across the red line.
3.  Lift cones and play 8v8 to large goals.