Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): GU9 Wild Gym Session - Nov. 27

Warm-up: Defensive Technique (5 mins)

Organization:

- Players in pairs with one ball between them

- Cones set up at 10 yard distance

Instruction:

- Both players are passive.

- Attacker looks to dribble from one endline/cone to the other without passing or beating the defender

- Defender looks to keep attacker in front without trying to win the ball

- When defender reaches the end cone, attacker passes the ball to the defender and defender becomes the dribbler working in the opposite direction

Coaching Points:

- Keep the attacker in front.

- Proper body shape - angled not flat/square

- Eyes on the ball

- Move/shuffle feet - one foot in front of the other

- Maintain appropriate distance

- Surfing position - knees and back bent slightly

Analytical - 1v1 Defending (10 mins)

Organization:

- 12 players with 4 in each grid , 2 on each end

- See diagram for equipment and set-up

- 10 x 15 grid with one small goal at defenders end

- Set a centre cone as shown in orange about half-way

Instruction:

- As soon as attacker turns and touches ball, defender becomes active and closes space

- Attacker attempts to score in opposition goal

- If defender wins the ball, she can score by dribbling ball over attackers goal line

- Play is dead if the ball goes out of the grid and next attacker goes

- Have one side play defensive role for about 4/5 minutes and then switch

Coaching Points:

- Speed and angle of approach. Arched run to close angle and get in front of attacker (CLOSE DOWN)

- Defender must SLOW DOWN as they arrive at attacker and not over commit.

- Arms out for balance, angled body, one foot in front of the other at an angle. (SURF BOARD)

- Push attacker away from goal.

Progression:

- Attacker can pass back to other attacker to activate 2nd attacker. 2nd defender becomes active as well.

Cool Down (5 mins)