Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Coaching Central Backs Line Defending in Final Third

Technical Warm Up

Organization:

4 vs 1 +1 in 1/3 field. Blue team-two central defenders (#4 and #5) and defensive center midfielder (#6) defend against red team- one forward and deep midfielder joining the play.

Activity:

-Red midfielders play back and forth until they play a ball into the red forward. Once the ball is played into the forward, the midfielder that played the ball joins into play. The red team goes to goal and the blue team defends and attempts to win the ball.

Variations:

-Opposite midfielder joins play

Coaching Points:

-Closest defender presses the ball. The other covers by sinking in behind, while the #6 covers the late arriving midfielder.

-Communication

-Attempt to keep play away from goal

-Stay connected.

Expanded Small-Sided Activity

Organization:

8 vs. 8 in 2/3 field. Red team plays a 2-3-3 while the blue team plays a 4-3 a Balls will be restarted by red team or endline or by coach in the field of play.

Activity:

8 vs. 8. Red team attacks large goal and blue team attacks two small counter goal.

Variations:

Vary blue team's starting position.

Coaching Points:

-Utlizing visual cues to decide when to step and when to drop as a defense.

-Communication

-Staying connected as a center back pair but also with the backline, midfield, and goalkeeper.