Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U11/12 PDP - Defensive Pressure & Cover (Support) Session II

Hunters (15 mins)

In a group of approximately 12 players, 8 players would have a ball and the other 4 will not have a ball. On the coaches signal the “dribblers” will dribble in the grid trying to stay away from the “Hunters” who do NOT have a ball. The “Hunters” try to take a ball from the “dribblers”. If a “dribbler’s” ball is stolen, the dribbler then instantly becomes a Hunter and the Hunter that stole the ball becomes the new dribbler. Play two or three rounds and encourage high energy from the Hunters to get to the player dribbling.

- how can the hunters be more successful?

•Do the hunters need to get to the dribbler fast or slow?

Line/Number Soccer (25 mins)

Set up one field 25 x 30 with one gate on each end. Split the players into two teams and number the players on each team (ex. 1,2,3,4,5,6). The opposing team should have a player whose number matches a player on the other team. Each team lines themselves up along one touch line. The coach will play a ball into the field and call a number. The player from each team who has that number enters the field to play against their counterpart from the other team. Vary the game and call multiple numbers so that they play in 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and even 4v4 situations. Designate which team is attacking which gate. You can even call out situations where there’s numbers up situations.

Coaching Points:

- Cover 1st defender if they get beat off of the dribble

- Cover the pass as a second defender, be able to quickly move from cover to pressure to close down other attacker

- Cover the through ball