Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): BLOCK 3 - DEFENDING (Final)

DEFENDING 2

DEFENDING 2 - OPPOSED

1 v 1 Defending

2 v 2 Defending - applies 'Pressure' & 'Cover' tactics, rehearsing good communication from all players

Setup:

- Create a box approx 15 x 15 (adjusted by age group)

- Split players into 2 teams and placed at both corners of the field on their respective side

- Balls need to be placed in 2 corners for both teams

Drill:

- Ball is passed across the box to opponent who is trying to score on either opposing goal by dribbling through it

- Once the defender plays their ball across they start the defensive principles in attempt to:

 1) Deny Space

 2) Angle Approach (forcing the attacker to one side / less field space)

 3) Touch - Tight (using arms to engage the attacker)

 4) Press / Degend (win the ball or delay attacker to go backwards)

- The attacker gains 1 point for scoring on the defenders opposite goal and 5 points for scoring on the goal where the ball started

- If the Defender wins the ball back and scores by dribbling through either of their opposing team's goal, they receive 5 points

- Players switch to their opposite goal once their round is complete

- Switch sides after a respective amount of time has passed (ie. 4 minutes) and compare scorers at the end

Coaching:

- Ensure the basic principles are being met - Stop and Start to support player understanding

- Typically many players need reminding on Point #1 & #2 and to fully commit to defending rather than moving backwards

- Patience is key as players do tend to 'jump in' rather than delaying the attacker for actual game situational (support from teammates should be coming)

Progressions:

- 1 v 2 Defending

 a) Attacking players can bring 2 players in upon receiving the initial pass from the defender

 b) Additional attacking player can be brough in with a pass if the current attacking player cannot advance forward

- 2 v 2 (Pressure & Cover)

 a) 2nd Defender can enter once the attacking team has completed 1 pass

 b) 2 v 2 can start upon the first pass  

DEFENDING 4 - GROUP MINI GAME (2 v 2 / 3 v 3+)

BLOCK 3 - DEFENDING (GROUP DEFENDING MINI GAME)

Setup:

•  Have the team pre-sorted into 2 teams and set up a mini game field approx 40 x 30 (age depending)
•  If actual goals are not available, use poles, mini nets or cone goals
•  This game can also be played 2 v 2 or even 4 v 4 depending on the number of players and age group
  

Drill:

1. Each team goes to thweir side and splits up into 3 lines behind their goal

2. Coach (C) plays a ball into the field to start the game with the team in position first (RED) looks to attack

3. BLUE then divides their defending shape using the PRESSURE - COVER - BALANCE guidelines to slow down their opponent in transition to win the ball and look to score on their opponent

4. Once the ball is scored or knocked out of play, a new game starts with fresh players

** Reward defensive teams additional points when the ball is blocked / played out of bounds (1 point) or scoring after transition (5 points)

Progression Ideas:

1. Force a pass-restriction for the FIRST attacking team before they can shoot on goal (Transition Defending team with no pass restrictions)

2. Add off-side rules (Defensive team focusing on trapping their high line)

3. Team that gets scored on must stay on until they are successful in defending (ball is played to the scoring team to start the game)

This game can also be used within other topics such as Attacking - Transition / Possession / Finishing