Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): UEFA C License Session Plan 2 - Switching Play/Passing Defensive practice. (Start Time: 2025-05-09 18:30:00)

Screen 1 (10 mins)

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions): Start the session without channels to see if the opposition players can create switches of play and process the ball to the end zone of the defensive unit within the designated area. If this becomes too easy for the defending team to intercept then widen the pitch to full width.  This will also increase the physical pillar to progress defensive players to cover more space and regress the opponents team to allow more time on the ball to challenge the closing of space by the defending team. 

This will also enhance player positioning to work in units to close the player and space to the next perceived pass. Once Possession is gained the opposing team become the defensive unit and have to be encouraged to transition back to those defensive positions quickly.

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:  

Challenge - For the defending team to cut out/intercept passes from the opposition to score a point.

Can we increase the pressure quicker to close the player with the ball.  Utilise observations and identify certain players maybe not closing down.

A condition could be to ensure the defending team do not progress more than 3 players past the half way line thus keeping some defensive structure and enabling players to condense the space and encourage the defending more as a unit.

Target - The winning team is the team with the least amount of points conceded during the small-sided game.  Coaches target is to see the development of a cohesive defensive unit which reduces space and pressures the ball in unison.  Limiting isolated, single player defending.  Encourage 2v1 defending.