Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending 2011

SSG - 3 v 3 v 3 2 Box Rondo with Switch (15 mins)

Warm Up:

Organizations:

• x2 12 by 20 boxes, 20 yards apart
• 3 teams of 3 players 
• Red and blue possess, yellow defends
• Team that loses possession become defending team
• Coach blows whistle every 45 seconds or so, players from both boxes sprint and change boxes
• Last player in new box, their team begins as defensive team in new box
• 3 sets of 4 mins
• Set 1 = free play, set 2 = 2 touch, set 3 = 20 passes and defensive team have push ups

Key factors:

• Body shape and direction showing player when defending
• Communication
• Decision making on when to press
• Cover and balance in unit of 3

Learning Outcomes:

• Continued warm up, mental prep and introduce topics for session

Function - 8 v 8 Mid 1/3 Defending (25 mins)

The phase of Play:

• Defending

1/3 of the Field:

• Mid 1/3

Principles of Play:

1. Pressure the ball with the closest defenders and dictate the direction of play

4. Delay when in an overload situation

Organizations: 

• Middle 1/3 with 15 yrd end zone
• Cut field down 18 yrd box side line
• 9 v 9, 18 players, 2 mini goals + big goal

Key factors:

• Body shape
• Speed of closing down
• Provide cover
• Decision making on pressing or block lanes

Learning Outcomes:

• Introduction of principles
• Understanding of units positioning
• Basic ideas of defending
• Ideas of 1-4-3-3 defending, dropping into 1-4-4-2 in mid 1/3
• Scenario: Opposition Full back is in possession after breaking front 3 press/ Movements of players/ ball in central areas with opposition CB or CM/ Ball into forwards feet/ in behind