Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending: 1V1: FAW C Cert Portfolio: Session 8

Technique (15 mins)

Equipment: Balls, Bibs, Cones, Mini Goals, Whistle, Stopwatch

Time: 15 mins

Players: 8

Work:Rest ratio: (3:2)

Area size: 15x15m

Description: Defending 1v1:

2 players are set up beside each mini goal in teams of 4 as pictured.  

1 player will start to drive towards the opposite mini goal, they will have 8 seconds to do so.

As they start, the player opposite them will engage in defending, attempting to drive them out of the 15x15m area, dispossess them or delay them long enough until time runs out

Players will return to the same station once finished. 

Players at station 1 will dribble first, meaning the player at station 3 will defend. The drill will then continue going clockwise.

This drill is mainly focusing on defending mechanics and techniques meaning that it may be more stop-start.

Coaching Points:

• Guide onto weaker foot or out wide
• Side on body position
• Low body position for centre of gravity and balance
• Hand across body to stop momentum
• Be patient
• On toes, not heels

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):

• Adjust pitch size accordingly if needed
• Extend time available to score to challenge defenders
• Swap players around so they face a variety of players instead of the same player all the time

Planned Interventions: 

Team Meeting: At the beginning of the session to explain the practice

Walkthrough: Players will walk through the practice with a demonstration for visual purposes before playing live

Freeze: Pause the practice when there are common mistakes

Bullseye: Pull an individual to the side to give feedback on session performance

Concurrent: Delivering positive and critical feedback throughout the entire session as it goes on

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:

• Can you close the space down quickly? Before the halfway point?
• Make the tackle and keep possession of the ball before the player dribbles past the midway point of area
• Can you force the attacker out of the area?

• 1 minute drinks break

SSG (20 mins)

Equipment: Balls, Bibs, Cones, Mini Goals, Whistle, Stopwatch

Time: 20 mins

Players: 8 

Players are free to play however they please in the area, the main focus is to stop the ball from going in the mini goals.

Reds will attack left to right, blues right to left

1 point for every goal scored

1 point for every goal scoring opportunity denied (last ditch tackle, block on the line, winning 1v1 situation)

Players should use techniques and coaching points as much as possible throughout

 Pitch size is flexible depending on how players cope

Coaching Points:

• Guide onto weaker foot or out wide
• Side on body position
• Low body position for centre of gravity and balance
• Hand across body to stop momentum
• Be patient
• On toes, not heels
• Close space down quickly
• Intensity, otherwise attackers will run round you with ease

Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions): 

• Restrictions on players to make it fairer (limited touches)
• Adjust area size accordingly
• 2 points for stopping a goal scoring opportunity to focus on the defensive aspect

Planned Interventions: 

Team Meeting: At the beginning of the session to explain the practice as well as for captains to discuss formations and strategies in this instance.

Freeze: Pause the practice when there are common mistakes

Bullseye: Pull an individual to the side to give feedback on session performance

Concurrent: Delivering positive and critical feedback throughout the entire session as it goes on

Challenges, Conditions or Targets:   

• Tell certain players to stay back to defend instead of supporting attack to showcase defensive capabilities.

   

   

• Tell a player to specifically mark and defend a certain player or at least have a more focused approach
• Make the challenge before the halfway point (front footed)
• Regain possession a certain amount of times = 1 point