Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Introduction to Defending - Updated

Unopposed Technical Defending (5 mins)

Organisation

• Players take it in turns to run at the flag, closing the spaces as if it was an attacker.
  
• If you have a flag the player should touch it with their hand and then shuffle back to the start as if tracking a player, if you are using cones they may touch it with their foot.

• 4 main parts to defending 1v1, fast, slow, low, show (by the end of the session the players should be able to repeat these back to you). If very beginner, you should layer these in 1 by 1.
  
• Close the space quickly by sprinting (fast)
• Slow down when you are a few yards away so the defender doesn't knock the ball past you (slow)
• Have a low body position, feet wide, knees bent to lower your center of gravity and be prepared to pivot either way (low)
• Angle your body to show the attacker the way you want them to go, usually away from goal, DO NOT STAND SQUARE as you give the attacker too many options (show). Curving the run as shown in the diagram helps with this, encourage the defenders to alternate the way they curve the run.

Alternating 1v1s (20 mins)

Organisation

• 1v1 flying changes, to start one player dribbles at the other and tries to score in the small pug goal.
• One team dribbles on to attack and then defends
• Teams score a goal by scoring into the pug net
• Try to avoid anymore than 3 in a line

Coaching Points

• Fast, slow, low, show - reinforce these points throughout
• Encourage the defender to curve their run to in front of their goal and force their opponent wide

• This can be progressed to 2v2 - emphasise that the principles are the exact same other than now the defender not nearest the ball must mark the empty player, while the pressing defender must take into account the position of the other attacker when deciding which way to show.