Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): TAD - Delay Progress and Re-Organize Lines

Arrival Game:

Field Size: Half Field divided into thirds. Width as wide as penalty box.

Players: 7 v 7 (3 x 2 on the ends; 2 v 2 in middle third)

Objective of game: Observe and assess defenders drop on breakaways.

Game: Regular game

1. One attacker can join the attack once the ball is in the final zone to create a 4 x 2

2. One defender can join the defense of the goal once the ball is in the final zone to create a 4 x 3

Individual Skill: 1 v 1 Protect the Space!

Field Size: 25 x 30 divided in half. Blue cones represent the line of confrontation and are about 8 yards in front of the end line.

Who: Everyone

Where: the middle or defensive third

When: on the counter attack

What: Dropping to top of box and reorganizing the lines

Why: To protect the space between the goalie and centerbacks

Game: The objective is for the defender to protect the space behind him and engage the attacker at the line of confrontation.

The blue defender plays ball to the red attacker then side pedals approximately to the line of confrontation as the attacker is approaching. At line of confrontation the defender pressures the attacker and waits for the attacker to make a mistake or show him the ball. If the defender takes the ball, the attacker must side pedal back to the half line then engage. If the attacker gets the ball over the touch line is it worth one point. The defender gets one point for correctly dropping to the line and one point for shutting down the attacker.

Rotate. Game last four minutes then rotate teams.

Final Game

Field Size: Half Field divided into thirds. Width as wide as penalty box.

Players: 7 v 7 (3 x 2 on the ends; 2 v 2 in middle third)

Objective of game: Observe and assess how the attackers separate from the defenders after the lesson.

Game: Regular game with players staying in their zones with one attacker joining the attack once the ball is in the final zone to create a 4 x 2. After five minutes or so one defender can join the defense of the goal once the ball is in the final zone to create a 4 x 3.

Progression: FIFA rules. No restrictions.

Coaching points:

1. Delay and drop to protect space

2. Line of confrontation will be at the top of the box

3. Reorganize back line once dropped.