Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending (individual and small group organization) Pre-Season 8/14/24

Teaching Cover

Similar to the previous activity the Principle of Pressure is still key, as whoever is pressing, determines what their teammates will look to do.

As a general rule: IF YOUR TEAMMATE NEXT TO YOU IS PRESSING, YOU SHOULD TAKE-UP A COVERING POSITION

The Cover Principle of Defence is crucial when defending as a team, because it prevents opponents from easily splitting defensive lines.

Cover Principle has two main functions:

1 - Prevent opposition progression balls

2 - Take the role of Pressure, if my pressuring teammate gets beaten

Should the pressuring player keep good pressure as attacker moves into another teammate's channel, and leave their channel empty, the covering player should decide to (preferably) double-team the attacker or drop cover slightly to still cover passing line to the now-open channel.  Ideally, the two should pressure together to win the ball in the 2v1.

Ball can be played to either of the attackers, and then defender in that channel should become the pressure immediately, and the other player takes up the cover role.

Play conclusion:

1) Win the ball and dribble over endline

2) Win the ball and retain possession by playing it back

3) Ball leaves the channel

4) Defender gets beaten and attacker dribbles over endline

Size:

Combine two channels together from previous activity *If used (each channel was 12-15 yds long x 5-8 yards wide)

Coaching Points:

- Engage IP player high up the field

- Organize roles quickly and loudly

- Force outside

- Deny the split

Player Actions:

- Big steps when ball is moving and far away, small, choppy steps when ball is at IP player and you are close

- Prevent IP player from going around RM player's front foot

- Quick recovery centrally when ball moves away from engaged IP player