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Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Recovery Defending Game

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Football New South Wales

Michael Price

Profile Summary

Michael Price
Name: Michael Price
City: Kelso
Country: Australia
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

SESSION OBJECTIVE:

  • Develop players’ ability to recover quickly after losing possession and delay the counter-attack.

  • Coach defensive transition: delay, recover, and protect central areas.

  • Encourage effort, attitude, and sprint recovery after turnovers.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Screen 1

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Screen 1
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Screen 1 (30 mins)

ORGANISATION:

  • Area: 25 m long × 15 m wide, with an end zone at one end (≈ 5 m deep).

  • 3 attackers (⚫ yellow) v 3 defenders (???? blue).

    • Two of the defenders start as recovering players in a deeper zone.

    • One defender starts higher and will initially be outnumbered 3 v 1.

  • Coach/feeder plays the first pass into the attacking team to start each repetition.

  • Attacking team aims to score in the small goal (or dribble into the end zone).

  • If defenders win the ball, they dribble into the opposite end zone to score and then reset.

HOW TO PLAY:

  • Practice begins with the coach passing into the attacking three.

  • The high defender must delay the attack and protect the goal while the two recovering defenders sprint back.

  • The recovering defenders aim to recover as quickly and directly as possible, taking the shortest route back to goal.

  • Once recovered, defend collectively to prevent a goal or win possession.

  • If the defenders win the ball, they dribble into the end zone to score and swap roles.

  • Rotate players regularly so everyone experiences both attacking and recovering roles.

COACHING POINTS:

  • Delay: Nearest defender slows the attack and protects central space — buy time for teammates to recover.

  • Recovery runs: Sprint the most direct route back to goal; don’t loop wide.

  • Body shape & communication: Stay side-on, force play away from goal, talk each other through the recovery.

  • Effort over outcome: Praise the intent and intensity of recovery runs, not just the result.

  • Transition mentality: Immediate reaction when possession is lost — “can I recover?”

CHANGE IT / PROGRESSIONS:

  • Progression 1: Add a time limit (e.g. 6–8 seconds) for attackers to finish, increasing defensive urgency.

  • Progression 2: Allow attackers to score in two mini goals to widen attacking decisions and test recovery angles.

  • Regression 1: Start with 2 v 1 + 1 recovering defender to simplify shape and timing.

  • Regression 2: Let the delaying defender begin closer to goal to experience early success before increasing distance.

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