Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): RSA - Shanghai: Defending the Defensive Third

Screen 2 (10 mins)

Individual Defending Channels

Attacking players to dribble out when they are ready to begin the attack, defending player to get out and defend as the attacker starts dribbling.

Defender to using the correct defending techniques to protect the 2 goals:

o  DENY space – approachand close down the attacking player at speed in order to prevent them space andgetting closer to your goal

o  DELAY the attack – arms length away from attacker, body stance is low and ready to move in relation to the ball, don’t tackle

o  DIRECT the opponent – body shape resembles a ‘SURF BOARD’ position (low and side on), standing slightly to one side, trying to force the attacker towards the outside of the pitch

o  DEFEND – wait until the attacker makes a mistake (bad touch, out of play, passes away, turns away) when the time is right you can retrieve possession of the ball

Screen 4 (10 mins)

Defending as a Unit - Overloaded

Attacking players to dribble out when they are ready to begin the attack, defending players to get out and defend as the attacker starts dribbling.

Defenders to using the correct defending techniques to protect the 2 goals:

o  DENY space – approachand close down the attacking player at speed in order to prevent them space andgetting closer to your goal

o  DELAY the attack – arms length away from attacker, body stance is low and ready to move in relation to the ball, don’t tackle

o  DIRECT the opponent – body shape resembles a ‘SURF BOARD’ position (low and side on), standing slightly to one side, trying to force the attacker towards the outside of the pitch

o  DEFEND – wait until the attacker makes a mistake (bad touch, out of play, passes away, turns away) when the time is right you can retrieve possession of the ball

Now defending as a unit it is important to try and isolate the ball carrier by forcing them away from the supporting attackers. Supporting defender to position themselves so that they can cover for the pressing defender in the event that they are breached, however still in a position where they can possibly intercept a pass to the other attacker or begin an immediate press if they receive the pass.

Now that the defenders are overloaded, it is important to defend the closest players to the ball as shown in the diagram. If the ball is switched then defenders must slide across as a team as shown.

Screen 6 (15 mins)

SSG or Matches

Depending on numbers, either small sided games or larger match