Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Defending quick attack in zone 2 and 1 Centrally, Using the CBs and CMs (D18)

Warm up - Continuos / Dynamic Movement (5 mins)

ORGANIZATION:

All 14 players are in the centre half circle (or equivalant size if circle not available for use)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Without Ball: Walk, light jog, skip, open gate, close gate, butt kix, high knees, shuffles, high fives, shoulder bumps, ..etc

OBJECTIVES:

Elevate heart rate

Warm up different parts of the body

Changing directions often

Tempo of movement

Awareness of whats around them

Warm Up - Technical - King Louis Passing (15 mins)

Set Up:

20 x 20 yrd grid

2 teams of 3 with an endzone player to make 4 players per tea.

One ball

Divide grid with cones to make to zones

Instructions:

Players pass ball on their side of grid, trying to open gaps

Players try to target their endzone teamate witha pentrating pass

1 point for every completed penetrating pass

Once pass is complete, opposing team re-starts with ball

30 second time limit per possessions

PROGRESSION - Add defender in to oppose attackers

Coaching Points

Mental snapshots of field, know where players are

Quick passes, 1 or 2 touch

Anticipate your next pass before you get ball

Movement off the ball, both infield and endzone players

Activity #1 - 8v6 Defend (15 mins)

ORGANIZATION:

Arrange 2 teams, 8 v 6 (w GK), in a 50yrd x 60yrd playing area on one half of the pitch

Mark off the flanks as un-usable areas for the activity as seen in the diagram.

Yellow team is in a 1-3-1-1 formation and black is in a 3-1-3-1 formation.

Yellow GK to wear a red bib

One ball for play and extra ones on the outside for easy access

Set up 3 goals at the halfway line that will act as gate, 3yrd per gate.

Use the large goal at the other end as target for.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Play is started by coach serving to Black team FB and they quickly play the ball to another Black attacking team player. Black now proceed to quickly attack to goal as the defending team tries to defend Zone 2 and Zone 1 with the CM and CB as primary players. Yellow team must try to prevent black attacking players from scoring in the large goal in Zone 1 (or getting past the defenders); defenders try to win the ball back in Zones 2 or 1. For this activity, there is no offside rule in play to start. Ball can be played on the ground or in the air. Yellow team defenders try to win the ball, gain possession of the ball and try to score by dribbling thru any of the 3 gates in Zone 2 & 3 at the halfway line. Encourage players to move quickly, with urgency, to cover open space and opposing player. When in a 1v1 situation, use an angled approach with low center of gravity. Defending team need to communicate information such as the 1st (pressure), 2nd (support) and 3rd (cover) defenders. Have GK be vocal, and communicate to defenders, as to what opposing players may pose threats. If ball goes out of bounds, play restarts with closest Black player to ball, quickly play a pass with feet into play to an opposing yellow team player.

PROGRESSION:

Add the offside rule into play

COACHING POINTS:

Angle / Distance / Speed of Approach

Balance and Compactness away from the ball

Cover and Support close to the ball

Patience - dont dive in unless attacker takes a poor touch. Go after a winnable ball with front foot

Read the attackers eyes, body mechanics and plant foot

Travel as the ball travels - Decide if you will delay or press

Angle / Distance / Speed of Approach

Protect the goal - force the attacker away from the goal.

Decide to Pressure or Delay as you close space

Win ball with front foot if attacker takes a bad touch

Keep your eye on the ball, and defend an arms length away on the ball of your feet

Force the play to the outside and if the pressure is broken recover behind the ball at speed.

Cool Down - Recovery Time (5 mins)

ORGANIZATION:

Players set up in pairs, 20 yrds apart from eachother, with a space of 3 yrds between pairs

INSTRUCTIONS:

Players will begin the cooldown by jogging 10 yrds toward their partner, and go through a series of instructions (light jog, skip, walk, open gate, close gate, bushwackers, clap, high five, low five, kick legs out, lunge, side shuffle, jockey, jog backwards, etc.). Allow for 3 to 5 min before moving into static cooldown stretches.

STATIC COOLDOWN STRECHES:

Hamstring Stretch

Calf Stretch

Achilles Stretch

COACHING POINTS:

Improve recovery rate between training and games

Physical and Mental Relaxation

Encourage hydration and nutrition (fruit, soup, sport drinks)

SESSION REVIEW:

3 things to take away from the session

CHEER AND DISBAND