Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Delay immediate opponent when they are receiving the ball and you cannot intercept to win possession (Start Time: 2022-06-29 17:30:00)

Passing Practice (15 mins)

Rules

Start

12 players (or more) distributed on cones as outlined above. Two balls moving at a time.

Player who starts with ball at station 1 passes anti-clockwise to receiver at station 3 and joins line at 2 in the middle. As the ball is passed the player in the middle at 2 moves into position to play a wall pass with 3 and joins the line behind 3. Player at three plays to 4, where the same pattern begins from the other side from 4.

Change to anti-clockwise once players have warmed up and understand the game. Use different coloured cones to make starting position and players in the middle cones for ball clear.

First progression



Rather than playing a wall pass, player at 2/5 now becomes a passive defender. They get a point if they can force 3/6 to dribble their ball outside the agility pole before playing to 1/4.

Second progression

If 2/5 goes too early and does not arc their run, 3 may play straight to 6 and 1 may play straight to 4. If the defender allows the pass inside, they must complete 10 push-ups.

Third progression

Defending player can now win possession or knock it out. If they win possession or force the dribbling to carry the ball wide of the agility pole, the ball player must do 10 push-ups.

If ball exits play the players at 1/4 must get a new ball to start the game.

Game is conducted in four sets of 3min., with a change of direction in each and dynamic stretching in 1min. break between sets.

Things to encourage

Defender arcs their run to prevent a pass inside.

Defender gets close to forward without getting "square on", should have angled body shape to force attacker wide.

Try to prevent quick dribble/run forward. Can you force attacker to dribble ball wide?

Begin defensive movement as ball is being played to your immediate opponent, not after.

With the ball - Ball speed, quick, close control when dribbling, take first touch on inside of back foot to play/move forward quickly.

Game Training (30 mins)

Rules

6 v 6 + GK (adjust for final numbers). Played on half-pitch with sidelines brought in 5-15m depending on numbers.

Play starts from the coach who is stationed on halfway. Red team begins as the defending team in a GK-4-2 formation. Blue team attacks the big goal in a 0-0-3-3 formation, while red team attacks the two small goals on half way.

As soon as the red team scores in one of the small goals, they become the attacking side and try to score in the end with the goalkeeper. Coach plays ball in immediately once the defending side scores.

Coach can also switch sides on their election.

Only goals scored at the end with the goalkeeper count towards team scores.



Team task:

When the ball is played to your immediate opponent position yourself between them and the goal to stop them dribbling or passing forward.

Player tasks:

When the ball is played to your immediate opponent and they can shield it from you, try stay between them and your goal to delay them rather than trying to tackle to win possession.

When you are the closest defender to the ball carrier and they are on your goal side, can you get back goal side of them then put pressure from in front to delay their attack.

When defending, make sure you are in a position from where you can see the ball.

If you are the closest player to the ball when your team transitions to defence, can you get between the ball carrier and the goal and pressure them to force them to hold up or play backwards.

When the ball carrier is under pressure can the second closest defenders get into a covering position for the first defender. 

Can other defenders come inside and drop towards goal to make the area of the pitch in front of goals compact and prevent quick throughballs behind the defence.

When your opponent takes a heavy touch, makes a slow or inaccurate pass or slows down while dribbling, consider tackling or intercepting the ball.

Use defensive body shape to force attackers wide or towards the direction of second defender.