Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending in and around the box

Lead in practice 1

The feeder (black) feeds the ball to the attacker in the corridor (space between penalty box and red line), the attacker must receive and stay in the corridor and look to beat the defender. 

In wide areas the player looks to twist and jink to deliver a cross and in central areas the player tries to find space to shift and shoot at goal. When crossing the weak side players come into the box to attack/defend the cross.

The full back must get into line and deny a cross

The defenders can not tackle here nor can they enter the corridor, the aim is to practice getting into line with the ball. Defenders can't dive in and have to think about how they can stop the attacker. 

Key principles;

DELAY – can you get up to the ball / in line with the ball and slow the attacker down. Stop them achieving their aim (shot or cross).

DEFLECT – encourage defenders to block attempts from the attacker and praise bravery. Good attackers will fake and shift the ball as defenders turn their backs or over commit.

THINK – what are the attributes of the player? Left/ right foot? Pace? trickery? How will that alter your decision?

In central areas the Central defender must be cautious of showing inside.

Progression:

Same starting structure but free play once the attacker receives the ball. Feeders can be used as one touch bounce players.

Coaching points:

Attacker receives centrally - nearest CB engages and the others drop and narrow slightly to cover.

Attacker receives back to goal - prevent turn - defend inside shoulder to keep away from goal

Cross into box - attack the ball and clear with height and distance. Can weak side defender see man and ball?

Phase of play

Set up as shown. Blues defend the main goal and aim to score in the wide target goals (in 10 secs). Reds attack the main goal, goals scored from inside the box count double. Reds play with a high 7 and 11

Start point: Ball given away to red centre midfielder. 

1. Can blues keep the ball out of the box?

a) Centre midfielders press opposition central midfielders to try to prevent the forward pass. Other central midfielder narrows and stays slightly deeper to give cover and support.

b) If the ball goes into a red attacker, the nearest CB engages to prevent turns/shots. Other CB narrows and drops to cover. Nearest central midfielder drops to try and press from the front.

c) Full backs block crosses when the ball is wide.

2. Ball in the box:

Apply the principles from the lead in practice to this scenario

DELAY – can the nearest defender get up to the ball / in line with the ball and slow the attacker down. Stop them achieving their aim (shot or cross). Get to them quickly but slow down/take smaller steps on arrival so as not to sell yourself. Other defends to narrow and drop slightly to provide cover if beaten.

DEFLECT – encourage defenders to block attempts from the attacker and praise bravery. Good attackers will fake and shift the ball as defenders turn their backs or over commit.

THINK – defenders to react to the attributes of the opponent. Try to show onto their weaker side

a) Attacker receives centrally - nearest CB engages and the others drop nd narrow slightly to cover.

b) Attacker receives back to goal - prevent turn - defend inside shoulder to keep away from goal

c) Cross into box - attack the ball and clear with height and distance. Can weak side defender see man and ball?