Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Individual Defending

Defending Reaction

• 5 cones per group:  3 of different color spaced two steps apart.  2 cones of any color as a starting spot for players.

• Players start on the red cones in the diagram.
• Coach will call a color.  Players will sprint to that color (blue in the diagram) and demonstrate good defending technique.  Start Fast, arrive slow, sideways body shape, low body. (Fast, slow, sideways, low).
• Once players demonstrate technique for a second or two, they retreat back to the red cone and wait for coach to call another color.

Coaching Points

• Pressure FAST
• Arrive SLOW
• SIDEWAYS body position
• LOW body position

3v3

3v3 - 4 Goals

Set Up:

Using the same space, remove the center line.

Now, two Goals on each end (4 goal game)

Players will pass a ball across the field to opposing players and then defend.  If defenders win ball, they will try to score in respective goal.  In diagram, red players passes to white player then defends the white players.

Coaching Points

• Pressure FAST
• Arrive SLOW
• SIDEWAYS body position
• LOW body position
• Be patient. Allow attacker to make mistake.  Avoid stabbing (diving) in.
• Defend with GRIT
• Pressure, cover, balance. (1st defender applies pressure, 2nd defender provides cover, 3rd defender applies balance.  Looking for a half moon shape or "Nike Swoosh" shape.