Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defensive Recovery Runs When Underloaded and Out of Position

Screen 1

14 - 16 Players (2 Groups)

Activation Drill 1 v 1 Duels:

Defender in Red, Attacker in Blue.  They both pass the ball between themselves, when the coach shouts 'go', the Attacker in Blue dribbles through the gate and turns towards goal.  Red Defender runs through the gate in the reverse direction and trys to recover and stop the Attacker reaching the final cone and attempting to score.

High intensity, looking for excellent work rate from the Defenders and a desire to get back and put the Attacker off or push them away from goal even if they cannot catch the Attacker.  

Big message here is not to 'give in'.  Even if the Defender does not get back, reducing the time the Attacker has to compose themselves could make the difference as they are not just thinking about scoring.

Adjust the distance between 'Defenders cone' and the Attackers Gate' to increase/reduce the challenge but to also ensure the Defenders see the success of their work rate

Screen 3

More Positional related drill - 4 v 4 

Goalkeeper starts with ball and plays out to a Red Defender.  4 Red Defenders combine and works their way up the pitch.  Coach shouts the name of a Defender.  That Defender has to stop the ball between the red gates and sprint round the cone to recover. As the Defender enters the red gate, the Coach plays the ball to the Blue Attackers who look to Attack the underloaded Defence and create a scoring opportunity.

Red Defender who has to run through the gate and round the cone has to work as hard as possible to recover their position.  Can the remaining Red Defenders provide Pressure, Cover and Balance to delay/slowdown the Attackers whilst the other Defender tries to recover their position

Once first set of 8 players have had their go, they rest whilst next set of players go.  All players have a go at Defending and Attacking

Technical/Tactical: Body Shape to try and manipulate where you want the attackers to play and go. Positioning and Movement - if ball is moving from Attacker to Attacker, Defenders need to constantly adjust and react

- Physical: Aggressing Running, Work Rate, Intensity, 1 v1 Duels - don't get beat easily

- Psychological: Discipline to 'stay connected' and 'hold the line'.  A desire for the recovering Defender to get back and help their team mates

- Social: Team Work, Communication

Key Capabilities: Positioning, Movement, Scanning, Technique

Principles: Press, Delay, Cover and Balance, Control and Restraint