Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): 3 Zone Defending

3 Zone Compact Defending (20 Minutes)

Organization:

- 30X30 area, flat cones if possible and split playing area into 3 zones

- 3 defenders in the middle, attacking players in blue occupying both endzones

Activity:

- The blue team in the endzones play the ball and try to move it threw the middle zone to the other team in blue. There aim is to split the three defenders in red.

- The defenders in red are trying to stay compact and not get split, so there is pressure on the ball and defending in small tight triangles to avoid getting split.

- Depending on numbers can set-up a similar game for the remaining players with blue in the middle and rotate the players between the two fields.

Coaches Emphasis:

- The main focus is to show and encourage the defenders to be in good defensive positions, knees bent and moving quickly.

- Communication, makes it easier as team to defend, so encourage it.