Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Defending U9/U10 & U11/12 Gym Session

Focus On Defending (10 mins)

-Players in white dribble to opposite a player on the outside. Give them the ball then switch spots

- You can start this activity by having th ball in their hands and throw to an outside player then switch to feet

1v1 Multi Goal Defending ( 15 Minutes) (10 mins)

Organization:

- 20 x 15 yards

- Players pair up, all the balls are in the middle so players can come back pick up a ball and begin another attack

- Players have a designate goal with their partner

- Change defending team at 60 seconds

Activity:

- The attacking player goes into the middle of the field and picks up a ball and attacks the defender. Defenders must defend the goal and win the ball and dribble with pace back into the square.

Progresson:

- The game starts with 1v1, but can be changed 2v2 with 2 goals on each side of the playing area

Coaches Emphasis:

- Defenders must have their knees bent and feet about shoulders width apart so they can move quickly

- Encourage the defenders to concentrate on the ball and not the movement and fakes of the attacker, always change body position to react to the movement of the ball and attacker.

- Defenders win the ball if they can but timing is very important

- Defenders keeping themselves in front of the attacker and not letting him get past is a win, taking the ball is a bonus

- Defending side on and directing the attacker to one side (in a game to the sidelines)

2v2 Defending (10 mins)

2v2 defending

-Pressure and cover concepts

-One of the orange players passes a ball into a white. The white team must attack while the orange team defend with good technique. The nearest player to the ball presses while the other covers.

-Teams score by dribbling through blue gates, Defending team get one goal for winning possession of the ball and an extra goal for dribbling through a gate.