Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Defending in the middle 3rd

1v1 Defending (10 mins)

Objective: 1v1 Defending (Defensive Principles)

Organization

Coaching Points:

Delay - The ability to prevent the ball from being played forward quickly. A pressuring player needs to reduce the time and space of the attacker to prevent the ball being played forward. This is especially important when outnumbered to allow the team to re-shape to a loss in possession appropriately.

Depth - Reduce the space behind the pressuring player. Provide support in defence. These players do not provide pressure on the ball but instead support the challenging player. Their relative position to the pressuring player is dependent on the situation and part of the field they are supporting the player in. Defensive support is generally much tighter than attacking support. An easy concept to coach with defending soccer drills.

Concentration/Compactness - The movement of players to concentrate into an area of the field vulnerable to scoring opportunities. Most teams generally drop on loss of possession and recover towards their own goal. Players should make runs back towards their own goal and goal side of the ball if desired.

Balance - In order to cancel the threat of mobility provided by the offense, balance is required by the defending team to retain defensive shape. Balancing is an extension of delay and support. Balancing players provide additional support. Be prepared to leave weak side attacking players unmarked to balance the strong side of the field.

Discipline/Patience - Defending players need to be patient and assess the risk involved in challenging for the ball. A well structured defending line can quickly become disorganized with one rash challenge. Players need to exercise control and restraint and re-adjust their shape to changing scenarios. Players also need to be alert to their surroundings at all times (switched on!).

Predictability - Defensive movements should encourage/force the attacking team to play into certain areas of the field. Channeling play into particular well defended areas or less important areas of the field makes play predictable and increase our chances of regaining possession or decreases goal scoring threats.

Interval Duration

Passing and Receiving: Receiving with the back foot. (15 mins)

Objective:Passing and receiving on the back foot.

Organization:

- Players are position on the four corners of the grid with players occupying the two cones placed in the center of the grid. Balls start on opposite ends of the grid.

-Pass A to B to C to D then long pass and 75% run to opposite cone.

Variation: Counterclockwise direction.

Coaching Points:

Visual checking before receiving a pass.

-All players use both feet and inside foot to receive pass.

-Control with a turn (Inside players).

-Rapid movement to support the ball carrier.

-The intensity and speed of play should be high.

-Movements with the ball should be sharp and deliberate.

-Receiving the ball in an open position towards depth.

Interval Duration: 2 intervals x 5 minues; 10 minutes.

Pressing & Defending From The Front 2 (20 mins)

SetUp:

Extended half pitch 1 full size & 2 small goals

Notes:

7v5 game.

Game starts with the goalkeeper to play short;

Allow first pass before press.

Defending team (black) with 5 players and one ST (main goal);

Possession team (blue) with 3 defenders, 2 midfielders & GK (mini goals).

Progression:

Add additional attacker;

Lift conditions and play regular rules for last 10 mins.

Coaching Points:

Press or drop together (commitement & communication);

Compactness, nice & tight, dont allow gaps to penetrate;

Closest player presses the ball. Slows down/delays the attacker, shows inside;

#10 & #9 provide cover, double up for the dribble, positioning to intercept/block a pass;

#9 takes away the option of a pass to CB;

#7 tucks in to provide balance & 'weak side' support;

#8 acts as a screen to intercept/block a longer pass and second cover if needed.