Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending as a Unit - Recognising Triggers

Recognising Triggers

Organisation

35x20 Yard Area with 3 5x5 Boxes 5 Yars outside the area

3 Poled Gates 5 Yards in Width

4v4 Set up as in Diagram

Supply of Footballs

Game Objectives

Aim of the game is for the Orange Team to score in 1 of 2 Ways. Either by

1. Dribbling Through a Poled Gate and Finishing in the Goal

2. Chipping the ball and landing it in one of the Yellow Target Boxes

Whites look to recognise triggers of when to press (Deny scoring via dribbling through gate) or when to drop (no pressure on ball so deny space in behind

Coaching Points

1. Team shape (flat as a back four when ball is central/flat as a 3 when someone steps out to press

2. Communication Across the Line (When to press/drop, intensity of press, passing on of Centr Forward, Team shape)

3. Bodyshape (Players getting side on to move quick off front foot to either press or drop)

4. Recognition of triggers (touches out of feet, head down, 1 touch)

5. Desire to DEFEND

Progressions

1. Can slide in CF to dribble into target box

2. Can rotate with CF to create confusion between back four