Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defensive principles

Warm Up

Organization:

1. Pairs with one soccer ball

2. Attackers and defenders alternate

Instructions:

1. Attacker dribbles in zig zags towards defender

2. Defender shall change stance and body position to force attacker to a side

3. Once players reach an endline, they will switch from attacker to defender and viceversa

Coaching Points:

1. Speed of pressure/closing down

2. Body Position

3. Force the attacker one way

4. Commit with a tackle when attacker takes a bad touch

Progressions:

1. Defender can now tackle attacker when he makes a mistake

Main Theme

Organization:

1. 2 attackers and 2 defenders

2. One ball

3. Two goals on each side

Instructions:

1. Defenders start with ball and play to attackers

2. As soon as attackers take first touch play is live

3. Attacker looks to beat defender and attack two different goals

4. Defender looks to recover ball and score into different goals

Coaching Points:

1. Close down on space

2. Succesfully cover pressuring defender

3. Deny penetration

4. Look for mistakes and try to win the ball

5. Angle of approach

Progressions:

1. Defender is live as soon as they pass the ball