Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending Week #4 - 1v1 and 2v2

Dribbling/1v1 Attacking

Organization:
- A and B dribble their balls around the poles and goals and then pass into the small goal.
- Whoever scores first- gets a ball served into them by coach (C) to attack 1v1 to the small goal
- Have players keep their score
Progression: 
- A second attacker and defender can be added to make a 2v2

Coaching Points:
Defending
- Close space down quickly, get tight
- Slow down on arrival, approach side-on and ‘sit down' in surfer stance – low body position, slightly bent knees, chest over the knees
- The defenders should look to dictate where the attacker goes – always show outside and away from goal.
- Defender shows attacker one way
- Defender uses the line as an "extra defender"
Attacker:
- Change pace, change direction when attacking
- Drop a shoulder/feint
- Keep ball close to you then accelerate away and push the bal further out
- Head Up
- Decision making to pass, shoot or dribble past defender

SSG - Defending

This is a 4v4 / 5v5 (plus goalkeepers) small-sided game.
It provides players with the opportunity to consider individual and team principles of defending in a block and looking to press in more of a game format.
The ball starts with the goalkeeper every time. On a restart, the defending team – here, RED Team B – must start in their own half to defend, while the in-possession team has one or two players building up and looking to break the block. There can be up to three attackers in the attacking half at all times.
The defenders remain in their block, defending their own half, until they find an opportunity to release into the opposition half and press. If they regain the ball in either half, they have 7 seconds to attack and score.
If Team B scores within 7 seconds, play restarts with their goalkeeper and they become the attacking team. If they don’t, play restarts with the Team A goalkeeper.

Coaching Points:
BLOCK (AS A TEAM)
When blocking, defenders should look to close down space as soon as the attackers enter their half.
One defender should look to engage the attacker on the ball, while others look to cover behind.
Slow down on arrival, approach side-on and ‘sit down’ – low body position, slightly bent knees, chest over the knees.
The defenders should look to dictate where the attacker goes – always show outside and away from goal.
They should take small, quick steps, rotate their hips if they need to change direction and always face the ball – they should never turn their back.
The defenders should maintain narrow and compact distances between them.

PRESS (AS A TEAM)
When pressing, defenders should look for a trigger in the attackers’ play – for example, a slow pass, a poor touch, head down or back turned.
They should sprint to engage and look to force the opponent on the ball to keep their head down.
Defenders should look to show the attacker outside at all times.
Try to steal through the legs if pressing from behind.
Defenders should maintain narrow and compact distances when releasing to press.