Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defensive Organization Team Movement And Compctness Activity

Screen 1 (15 mins)

SET UP:

10 V 10 in a 35 X 25 area 

2 x sets of bibs

Balls at either end 

ACTIVITY:

 

Red looks to move the ball to the other end of the field 

Yellow looks to organize themselves utilizing the principles of defending through "pressure, cover, support" and win the ball

Attacking players must move around the area to get the ball to the other end of the field

There can only be 5 attacking players in a zone at any given time and 4 defending players with a link defender on the middle line

When the ball gets to the other end of the field, the teams switch roles and yellow attacks the opposite direction

If the defending team wins the ball, then the 5th player can join to get the ball to the endline

Play starts over with red

COACHING POINTS:

Individual: Angle of approach to the player with the ball

Speed of approach

Body shape of player on ball and players off the ball

Team: Remaining compact (defenders do not want to get pulled away from the formation as it creates holes in the defense and makes bit easier for the opposition's attack

Quick movement to the ball to isolate the attackers to be able to win the ball and set up the counter attack when the ball is won

Using compactness to create a defensive block to make it harder for the attack to advance the ball to goal

Having a plan once the ball is won, having options of what to do next on the start of the counter attack

Closing down angles to the ball with the player closest to the ball, with support of the secondary player, (cover) and the tertiary player (support)

Creating separation from the defender by physically checking off the defender (Red #8 checking off Yellow #2 or Red #10 with Yellow #8)  

Shoulder checking and scanning to be aware of space that the player on the ball is in (spatial awareness) relative to their teammates