Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Warm Up - Defending

Defender Closing Down Attacker10 mins

Organization: Set up a 10x10 yards grid. Sort players out with defenders (#2, #3, #4, #5) in the middle.

Instructions: Defenders (#2, #3, #4, #5) pass the ball to the outside players (A-D) then applies close down presssue then delay back to the middle. The player that passes the ball then becomes the new defender.

Progression: Activity will be wherever the ball is passed whether it goes to B to A or back to A to B etc., the defenders in the middle quickly steps out to apply pressure on the ball and send the attacker in a particular direction. Example: If Player A passes to Player B, Player 2 will quickly put pressure on the ball and force them to go to Player C. When the ball is passed to Player C, Player 3 will quickly apply pressure on the ball which could go in either direction. Only use 1 ball and keep the speed of play going and challenge thedefenders in the middle to put pressure on the ball to prevent the outside players from passing a certain direction. The Yellow players be the second of attackers.

Coaching Points:

- Pressure and Cover

- Angle of Approach and Stance

- Reading the Pass

- Quick acceleration and deceleration

- Being able to defend directional changes