Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Organized Defense through Pressure, Cover and Balance Principles (Start Time: 2024-01-07 14:30:00)

Teaching Pressure

Applying Pressure in the Game is a key component to defending well. When Pressuring an opponent properly, we reduce the space the have as well as time they have to make decisions.

As a general rule: IF THE BALL IS IN YOUR CHANNEL, YOU HAVE TO PRESS

We can use the 4-Downs of 1vs1 Defending to teach our players what they should be doing to when pressuring an opponent:

• Close-down (Reduce Opponents Space and Time)
• Slow-down (Set oneself, so that you are not over committing)
• Low-down (Lowering your centre of gravity to be able to better react to your opponent)
• Eyes-down (Looking at your opponents hips, knees, and feet, along with the ball, to get cues on where they want to go)

This Activity of Defending 1vs1 within channels allows us to coach and practice Pressuring of the Ball.

Defending Players will start with a ball and play it across the Channel to the Attacker, as soon as the ball is played the Defender is allowed to go and Pressure their opponent, by applying the 4-Downs (Passes across should be firm and well weighted).

Attackers attempt to beat the defender and get across the endline they are defending. Defender is attempting to prevent that from happening, and secondly trying to win the ball back.

Play conclusion:

1) Win the ball and dribble over endline

2) Win the ball and retain possession by playing it back

3) Ball leaves the channel

4) Defender gets beaten and Attacker dribbles over endline

Teaching Balance

Both previous Principles are still applicable and required as we teach the third defensive Principle of Defence - Balance

Balance - taking up a zonal position in relation to your Pressuring and Covering teammates, so that you can transition into those roles immediately as is required

As a general rule: IF YOU ARE NOT PRESSING OR COVERING, YOU SHOULD LOOK TO TAKE UP A POSITION OF BALANCE WITHIN THE TEAM'S DEFENSIVE SHAPE. DO NOT TRACK PLAYERS OFF THE BALL, STAY ORGANIZED 

Teams will compete 4vs4 in this activity, the aim is for the Attackers to get across the endline the Defenders are Defending, and for the Defenders to prevent that from happening. There is now a 5+6 channel on the flanks, meaning there is more width to defend, but Defenders should aim to never have a open channel between them.

Play conclusion:

1) Win the ball and dribble over endline

2) Win the ball and retain possession by playing it back

3) Ball leaves the channel

4) Defender gets beaten and Attacker dribbles over endline

Block 6vs6+GK Full Width

This Game/Activity can be played open or directional.

Directional

- Ball gets fed in by coach to attackers, who attempt to score

- Defenders defend their goal and try to limit/delay Goalscoring Opportunities

- If Defenders win the ball, they can either score in the PUGGs or retain possession by playing it to the Goalkeeper

- As soon as the play ends, Attackers will over options to the coach and a new ball will be played in

Open

- Normal rules of the Game apply and balls can start from either end, however both teams should look to organize and defend their goal as learned.

- Push the 2 PUGGs together for one central goal that should be defended.