Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending, Positions, and Width

Building through Defense (30 mins)

Transfer Game Focused on Recovering Ball

Set Up:

20yrd x 25yrd

4 v 4 v 4

Game:

- 2 teams work together to keep transferring the ball

- 1 transfer = 1pt

- Team defending can send 2 players to win the ball while two stay in the channel

- INITIALLY ball has to be transferred across the ground

Coaching Points:

We are encouraging 3 things here:

1) When to press and when to drop signals: If we are close to the ball to press lets do it and do it as a team. Even the two players who stay in the channel can step to the edge of their zone and anticipate where the ball is going to go. (Have a sweeper between the two pressing players is a principle we want to get out in this game). Other signals include passing backwards, player with ball having head down for too long, poor pass/touch.

If the ball was successfully transferred and we are too far away from the player recieving the ball we may choose to defend entirely differently. We may send one player to press, one to cover and the other 2 to give balance. More like a mid-block or a back 4 sliding and screening.

2) How to react once ball has lost - To stop a forward pass and win the ball back immediately: Instant reactions ... again considering the above and understanding when to stop the press and hold some shape.

3) Shape in general - may help to think of lanes with blue lines. Outside defenders can wear pinnies to remember they are wings.