Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending from the Front

WARM UP (10 mins)

Method:

Basic movements.

• Knees
• Heels
• Gate
• Legs up 

Coaching Points:

Defending from the Front (15 mins)

Method:

7v6 Defending from the front

Red Team should attempt to play out from the back and score into the mini goals placed as shown on the halfway line.

The Blue team should attempt the disrupt the build-up play and T2A as high up the pitch as possible

Coaching Points:

• Aggressive pressing of the ball from the Blue team once the first pass is played from the GK to either centre half
• Blue Team to move as a unit to stop the Red Team playing through the thirds.
• When the #9 goes to press the ball, the #10 should provide cover and balance.
• Encourage the players to decide if they should arc their run or press face-on.
• Once the Centre Half drives forward into space, the 9 should engage in the press.

11v11 Game (20 mins)

Method:

• Full size pitch
• 11v11

Coaching Points:

• Focus on the theme from the phase of play. Playing out from the back to encourage players to defend from the front.