Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): While in midfield, coach your players to force the play wide

Screen 1 (10 mins)

Type: Defedning

Team Function: Defending 1 v 1 and 2 v 1

Zones: Midfield

Duration: 15 minutes

Objectives: To keep the attacker from dribbling through the central part of the field between the flags

Emphasis: To push the attacker to the outside

Coaching Points: Defender is in proper defending stance

Defender doesn't just commit to win the ball, they are methodical in their defending

Thier stance dictates that the attacker must go to the outside, not inside

Players are familiar with the phrasing "pressure" and "cover" to understand the roles

Pressure defender (1st) closes down the ball quickly and gets into a low position with arm extended to not allow attacker into the space

Cover defender (2nd) is a comfortable distance behind the 1st to cover in case the first defender gets beat...the defenders then switch roles if time and space dictate that you can

Organization: The grid is 12 yards wide by 15 yards long (perhaps 15x20 for 2 v 1)

Equipment: Cones, at least 1 ball per attacker, pinnies to distinguish attackers and defenders

Goals: To keep the attacker to the outside and not let them through the central channel

Instructions: Defender starts at cone 2 and attacker begin on their "goal" line.

Defender closes down the space quickly and gets into defensive position to angle the attacker out to either side.

If the defender wins the ball, they gain a point if they can dribble through the attackers goal line

Once the ball goes out of play, a new attaker and defender start the next 1 v 1

Progression: Defender plays the ball to attacker and closes down quickly while the ball is moving

Add a time limit to encourage the attacker to put the defender under pressure quicker

Add a second defender to understand the concept of "pressure" and "cover"