Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending 1 v 1 - Monday Gym Session (Start Time: 2017-11-27 19:40:00)

Warm Up (5 mins) (5 mins)

Organization - use full gym; see diagram for equipment & setup

Split into 2 groups of 8 - pinnie & non-pinnie; have them lineup single file behind each cone

Start with slow jog to first cone, then side shuffle to the right on angle to next cone, then slow jog to next cone, then side shuffle to the left on an angle to the next cone, then jog back to end of line

Repeat warmup for 4 or 5 runs - increase intensity of the run to full speed with sprint back to the end of line

Key Defending Principles:

1. Eyes on the ball

2. Speed/Angle of approach (close down)

3. Delay the forward progress (slow down)

4. Balance & Patience (jockey/sit down) - get low, knees bent & wait for poor first touch

1 v 1 Defending (25 mins) (25 mins)

Organization: see diagram for equipment and setup

Activity:

1. 3 grids 10 x 20 yards; small goal (red cones), 2 target goals (blue cones)

2. Play starts with defender (blue) playing a pass to attacker (red); as soon as attacker receives the pass the defender can come out quickly and defend their goal (red cones);

3. Attacker gets a point if they can score on the red goal; if defender wins the ball, she can try to make a break out pass through either one of the blue target goals for a point

4. Switch attackers/defenders after 6 rotations

Progression:

1. Switch the side from where attacker receives the pass

2. Have the defender start on their back, with teammate passing in the ball

Key Defending Principles:

1. Eyes on the ball

2. Speed/Angle of approach (close down) - stay about arm's length away

3. Delay the forward progress (slow down) - begin process of jockeying get low, knees bent

4. Balance & Patience (jockey/sit down) - get low, knees bent & wait for poor first touch