Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Defensive Principles - Pressing/Triggers

Technical Warm-Up (15 mins)

Warm-Up:

1 - Ball Movement (Varied)

2 - Rondo's (3v1) focus on triggers

- ball moves

- bad touch, head down 

Analytical One (20 mins)

2v2:

- Ball Pressure - Control and Restraint.

- Side on, forcing one way.

- Distance, angle and communication from second supporting

defender.

1. Trigger #1: Ball moves! 

- Travel as fast as possible as the ball travels to close down

opponent.

2. Close the opponent down forcing the player the way you want

them to go.

3. Slow down the last few yards, get balanced, bend knees,

sideways on stance forcing the play your way, and slow the

attacker up (making play predictable).

4. Feint to tackle – use your front foot this forces the opponent to

protect the ball and ultimately look down at the ball and away from

you the defender.

5. Watch the ball not the player.

6. Stay on your feet and be patient.

- 2nd defender - distance/space to 1st defender 

Progression:

- Offside line 

Game (15 mins)

Game Scenerio: regular game rules appy

MODEL OF PLAY:

- Direct the opponent and close the spaces around him.

- Dynamic block – make the field as small as possible

(compactness)

- Stay compact and focused to shift as fast as possible (unit)

- Constant pressing attitude on the carrier of the ball

- Intelligence when being aggressive (don’t over commit