Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Principles of Defending - Press / Delay

Warm up - Neural Prep (Quick Feet) (10 mins)

ORGANIZATION:

4 Lines of 3 players per line. Rows of 4 cones per line (16 cones), 2 feet apart.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Players will begin the warm up by going through a series of instructions through the cones (wrap arounds, quick feet, slalom, lunge, side shuffle, jockey, jog backwards,sprints etc.)

OBJECTIVES:

Imporved neuro muscular coordination, speed and power

Warm Up - Technical Prep (3v3 SSG) (10 mins)

ORGANIZATION:

Players are split into teams of 3 on two opposite playing areas the size of 20x15yrds

Place 2 target gates with red cones 3 yrds apart on each end of each field

Team in white bibs playes yellow, a team in black bibs plays other yellow half of players

Place extra balls on outside of grid for easy access

INSTRUCTIONS:

Two games going on at once.

Keep teams small to encourage more touches.

No goalies,To score, player must dribble tru gates,. First team to 3, wins game

Use Halfway Line as a retreat Line - create opportunities for Pressure, Cover and Support

No offsides, balls put of bound are played in via kick in

Players must restart in ouwn half after a goal is score (retreat, then press)

OBJECTIVES:

Warm up passing, dribbling and movement technique

Analytical 1 - 1v1 to Finish (15 mins)

ORGANIZATION:

Set up two, 18yrd x12yrd Grids next to eachother, with 6 players in each grid. Activity to be done side by side. Assign 2 per each station (a,b & c). Have a selection of balls at station A for use during activity. Set up one goal next to station B and two 2yrd gates at the opposite end, one red and one blue. Have pinnies at station B for use by defenders.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Player A (server) , passes to Player B (target). Player B proceed to dribble th ball to try and score in the Blue goal. Player C (defender) must prevent Player B from scoring in blue gate. Goal is scored when attacker dribbles thru gate. If defender wins ball they can score in the net at the opposite end. Defender must travel with the ball once played by the server. Server must not pass a stationary ball. Switch stations after 3-4 minutes.

Progression:

1-Move to 1 Attacker vs 2 Defenders

COACHING POINTS:

Angle / Distance / Speed of Approach

Protect the goal - force the attacker away from the goal.

Decide to Pressure or Delay as you close space

Win ball with front foot if attacker takes a bad touch

Keep your eye on the ball, and defend an arms length away on the ball of your feet