Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending - 1 v 1 Pine Glen Session (Start Time: 2017-11-28 19:45:00)

Activity - 1 v1 defend the dribble (20 mins)

Organization:

1. Setup 10 x 10 grids with a cone placed 3-5 yards from the grid from each side

2. 2 teams, pinnie and non pinnie

3. Lineup each team on two of the cones on opposite sides of the grid facing middle of square

4. Pinnie (blue) starts as defender and non pinnie (red) as attacker

5. Coach on the side with spare balls for use

Activity:

1. The attacking team dribbles at the defender and attempts to dribble through the other side of the grid by beating the middle defender.

2. If the player successfully makes it through the grid and out the other side by dribbling, he then plays to the first player in the line he is facing. Defender attempts to stop the player from dribbling across the box.

3. Switch defender and the next player again takes on the defender in the middle.  Rotate attackers/defenders

Progressions:

4. If the defender wins the ball, or the ball is knocked out the sides of the grid, the player losing the ball becomes the defender.

5. The player who won the ball or forces the player out of bounds passes the ball to a teammate in line who now attacks the new defender in the middle in attempt to get through to the other side and pass to the next player in line.

6. The pace of this drill must be very fast and encourage players to take advantage of an off balanced defender.

7. The defender will have to transition quickly in order to get out of the middle.

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