Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): ECFC12(15) Defend crosses

Front on shooting

Blue passes to blue as shown.

Blue shooter gets his ball and joins red line.

Blue passer becomes next blue shooter.

2 touches max to shoot

go alternate sides - Reds vv

*timing of pass to meet shooters runs

*shooter body position

*accuracy v power

Progress by blue shooter receiving from red passer and vv.

Progress again by passer closing down shooter affter hes passed the ball

Defend crosses GRP1 (20 mins)

Play a back 5 + GK against an attacking 7. Play starts as a throw-in on alternate sides - the thrower supporting the play on his side only. Starting positions as shown. remaining whites are target players for when whites win the ball.

Black must get the ball into the wide areas to make a delivery, as per previous sessions.

1. Front post

2. Back post/shot

3. Cut back

COACHING POINTS:

1. Stop/delay the cross, 1st defender

2. Pick up players, track runs

3. Clear the line (away from danger),

4. GK intercepting (catch/punch the ball clear)

5. Communicate.

Stoppages:

1. When wide player beats his man - pressure on ball, re-adjust cover

2. Early cross high - challenge and cover

3. Early front post cross - track runners

4. Cutback - press ball, block shot, 1st defender, don't jump

5. Step up when ball goes backwards - offside

6. Recognise when the point of the attack changes and re-adjust.

Use of players:

Retain regular centre backs in position

rotate regular wingers/full backs both attacking and defending

use defensive midfielders in their positions

rotate the attacking central 3 or 4 with the target players

Progression : allow another white to track back once the ball gets to the wide player.

Defend crosses CG (20 mins)

SET UP: 40x60 pitch 4v3 in each half) not inc keepers + 4 neutral wide players in marked out channels. (if only 16 outfield players play 4v2 but allow 1 player on each team to attack and defend)

PROCEDURE: teams play 4v3 in each half and try and play out from the back. When in possession they can use the 4 neutral players. Teams can only score from a cross from an outside player. Only one outside player can be in a channel half.

PROGRESSION 1: allow 1 player from each team to attack/track back.

COACHING POINTS: Stop the cross, pick up players, clear the line (away from danger), keeper intercepting (catch/punch the ball clear), communicate and cover, awareness of point of attack.