Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): NFC curriculum - Defending in wide areas in our defensive 3rd (Start Time: 2018-01-27 16:55:00)

Passing practice (10 mins)

Set Up

Create 2 or 3 boxes (depending on player numbers) of 10 x 18m with a goal and gate at one end (as shown in diagram). Use 4-6 players for each box with lots of extra balls ready to use.

How to Play

1) Player A passes to player B

- player A quickly closes down the ball and passively jockeys (defends) player A to make it difficult to dribble over the end line

- Player B uses skills to dribbles over the end line

Swap sides after each turn.

2) Player A passes to Player B

- Player A is now trying to force play away from goal and win the ball

- Player B dribbles and looks to either score in the small goal (3pts) or dribble through the gate (1 pt)

Swap roles after each turn.

Notes

- Quickly close the attacker down

- Show the defender away from goal using angled approach

- Side ways on, jab with foot but don't dive in

- Win the ball if mistake is made

- If they turn back, get close and keep them going back!

Game training (25 mins)

Set up

Use just over half of a field with one side cut off. Have a big goal at one end and and end line at the other.

Blue (focus team) play 1-3-3-1 (GK, CB's, 1x FB, 3x CM, 1x Wnger)

Red (opposition) play 3-3-2 (CB's, FB, 3x CM, 1x Winger, ST)

How to play

Start with GK over-hitting a pass to one of the red CB's.

- Red aim to score in the big goal.

- Blue aim to defend and score by passing into the small goal or getting a player on the ball in the end zone within 5 passes.

- Red CB's on two touch as they have no direct opposition.

Red

- If you score from wide play = 3 goals.

- Score from central play = 1 goal

Blue

- Getting a player on the ball into the end zone = 1 goal

- Scoring in small goal = 3 goals

First team to 10 points wins.

Players tasks

GK #1

- Organise defenders to limit goal-scoring opportunities

- Anticipate balls over or through the defence

- Catch, punch, parry shots, crosses or passes into the box

- Look to initiate a quick counter attack

Centre backs #3/#4

- Stay compact to prevent passes between CB’s or between CB & FB

- Keep space between def & midfield to a minimum to prevent opposition receiving between the lines

- Positioning yourself to threaten the ball receiver and limit balls in behind you

- Kill the space in behind if there is a threat to the back line

- Quick and incisive passes to initiate the attack

- Support play from behind

FB #2/#5

- Compact when the ball is central - no balls between CB & FB

- Pressure wide player on the ball side – force play away from goal

- Tuck in when ball on the opposite side

- Quick and incisive forward passes to initiate the attack

- Quick forward movement to support team mates with width and depth

- Recognise when to join attack and when to stay and cover

CM #6/#8/#10

- Can you screen the opposition striker and also find a position to press the nearest player to you?

- Track forward runs between or beyond the defensive line.

- When opposition are trapped wide, support team mates to prevent the opposition switching out

- Can you pass or travel forward quickly or if not to a player who can?

- Look to find team mates beyond the opposition defenders

- Recognise when to join the attack or stay and cover.

Winger #7/11

- Be in a position to prevent the opposition FB receiving the ball behind you

- Pressure or cover in wide areas on the ball side. If the ball is on the opposite side, cover centrally.

- Track and defend/cover the attacking run opposition FB

- Force play away from goal (back or wide) and prevent balls into dangerous spaces/players.

- Make a forward run quickly into any available space.

- If space in front, travel forward with the ball at pace.

Training Game (25 mins)

Set Up

Use just over half a field with side brought in 6m on either side and a goal at either end.

Blue (focus team) play 1-3-3-1 (GK, CB, FB's, 3x CM, ST)

Red (opposition) play 1-2-2-3 (GK, CB's, 2x CM, 2x Wingers, ST)

How to Play

Normal football rules apply except no corners - ball to start with the GK of the team who won the corner.

Progressions