Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Defensive Shape (back 4)

Arrival Activity

Juggling Challenge

Upon arrival, players will partner up and practice juggling back and forth. Each pair will get a point for every pass they can make to their partner (one bounce allowed). If the ball bounces more than once, they must restart from zero. Every time a pair can complete 15 passes in a row, they get a point. The team with the most points wins. If a pair can make 10 passes in a row without the ball touching the ground, they get 2 points.  

Defending - 1v1, 2v2 & 4v4

• Defender passes the ball to the attacker in their channel and then goes out to defend.
• Attacker must cross the centre line before they can score. Goal = 1 point
• If the defender wins the ball, they must dribble through the gate for 1 point.

2v2

• Same as before but now 2v2 (3&5, 4&2) 
• Defenders are restricted to their channels 
• Attackers can switch channels but can't play in the same one (no 2v1's)
• Attackers can score in either goal from either channel 
• Defenders score by dribbling through either gate 

• Same as before but now 4v4
• Middle line is the offside line
• Keep the channels in place for reference but now the players can move

• 1v1: pressure on the ball, force one way, timing of tackle 
• 2v2: pressure on the ball, cover in behind (defenders should be stepping and dropping, not chasing side to side), communication
• 4v4: pressure, cover, balance (work and move as a unit, don't chase), communication 

Game

• 1 ball, 2 goals, 2 teams, regular rules of the game.

• Commentary through the final game should relate back to the coaching points covered in the initial game and activities. 

• Try to allow the game to flow by not stopping it as much. Instead, pull a player aside and communicate your point to them individually. However, if your point will impact multiple players, stop the game and try to be brief so you don't lose the players attention.

• Remember to be positive and energetic as players will feed off of your energy.