Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): AP2 - Protecting Space Behind

Group Game: Across the River (10 mins)

Game Objective: Disrupt the pass in the endzone

Topic: Protect the Space Behind the Backline

Phase: Collectively Defend

Problem: There is space behind the backline.

Who: 4,5, 2, 3 primarily; 6, 8, 10 secondarily

Where: Middle to Back Third

When: the opponents play ball behind the line

What: Anticipate; Eyes on ball; Drop as my man moves toward goal

Why: Prevent playing into space

Layout: 40 x 50; two goals

Restrictions: 4v4v4; Two touch; 3:8:1

Scoring: One point for each pass disruption in endzone.

Game: Play to opposite endzone; when pass is disrupted in the endzone, the attacking receiving team moves to the middle; the recovering team must connect out before playing forward.

Coaching Points: (1) ANTICIPATE pass and DROP in space. (2) COVER position (3) EYES toward pass (4) KEEP pace with opponent.

Final Game: The End Zone Game (15 mins)

Game Objective: Disrupt the pass into the endzone

Topic: Protect the Space Behind the Backline

Phase: Collectively Defend

Problem: There is space behind the backline.

Who: 4,5, 2, 3 primarily; 6, 8, 10 secondarily

Where: Middle to Back Third

When: the opponents play ball behind the line

What: Anticipate; Eyes on ball; Drop as my man moves toward goal

Why: Prevent playing into space

Layout: 40 x 50; two goals

Restrictions: 5v5 with 2 GK; endzones 20 yards; Two touch; 2:10:1

Scoring: One point for each pass disruption in endzone. One point for goal.

Game: Regular game with an emphasis on offsides.

Coaching Points: (1) ANTICIPATE pass and DROP in space. (2) COVER position (3) EYES toward pass (4) KEEP pace with opponent.

Field Size: 40 X 50

Players: 6 v 6 with 2 goalies

Who: 8,9,10

What: Breaking the final line to receive a pass and score

Where: Final third

When: When we are on the attack

Why: To score

Game: FIFA rules Two touches. Receiving player MUST be running into end-zone when receiving the pass; A scoring pass MUST pass through one pair of cones, while the receiving player must make his run through another pair; Two points for a connecting pass inside the endzone and one point for a goal.

COACHING POINTS:

Runners should look to make angled runs into end-zone;

Look to switch play when defending team overloads one half of the field.

Progression: remove cones.