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Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Compactness of the back four

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Pleasanton RAGE Girls Soccer Club

Sarah Fawcett

Profile Summary

Sarah Fawcett
Name: Sarah Fawcett
City: Leeds
Country: United Kingdom
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

Key Moment: They have the ball

Defending Phase: 2 and 1

Objective: Improve a teams ability to be more compact as a defensive back four

WHO: #2 #3 #4 #5

WHAT: Individual Defending Techniques and Principles of Defense - work as a unit

WHERE: Defensive third of the field

WHEN: Defending Phase 2 and 1: The opponent in the final third

WHY To delay or deny penetration and win the ball back

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Stage 1: Warm up

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Stage 1: Warm up
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Stage 1: Warm up (10 mins)

INTENSITY: low to moderate ACTIVITY TIME 3 mins REST: 30-45 secs INTERVALS: 3-4

Activity

-begin the exercise by shadowing the attacking two. Apply correct defensive techniques. Reverse roles and repeat.

-2 v 2 directional soccer. Score by dribbling ball into end zone. If defending team win the ball they transition to attack. Reverse roles and repeat.

Incorporate FIFA 11+

Coaching Points:

1. Immediate pressure to the ball and angle of support.

2. Quick reactions and ability to close and deny space immediately.

3. Communication between defenders.

4. Do not cross in front of teammates when defending - pass players on and drop off

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Stage 2: Resticted

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Stage 2: Resticted
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Stage 2: Resticted (15 mins)

INTENSITY: Moderate to high ACTIVITY TIME: 1-2 mins REST: 30-45 seconds INTERVALS: 5-6

Activity

-4 defenders in the middle of the area. Attackers are on the outside (plus neutral players) and attempt to play the ball back and forth to each other. Ball must be passed along the floor.

-Award 1 point to defenders for winning the ball and -1 for getting split of beat.

-Rotate defenders every 5 goals

Coaching Points.

1. Be patient and make play predictable.

2. Visual cues from the attacking team.

3. Immediate pressure to isolate player on the ball.

4. Zonal Defending: Shift and Slide

5. Deny penetrating pass and/or dribbling.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Stage 3: Phase of Play

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Stage 3: Phase of Play
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Stage 3: Phase of Play (25 mins)

INTENSITY: Moderate to high DURATION: 4 minute intervals REST: 45-60 secs INTERVALS: 5-6

Activity

-Phase of Play - 4 v 2 in middle zone, 4 v 3 in final third.

-Directional: attacking team score in big goal, defenders win the ball and transition to small goals.

-Start position: balls from center as shown above, unless goalkeeper retrieves ball, then defenders will build ball from the back.

-Begin with players been restricted to their zones.

Progress:

-One attacking player can cross zones creating a 4 v 4 in final third.

-remove zones and have no restrictions on play.

Coaching Points

1. Immediate pressure to isolate player on the ball.

2. Zonal Defending: Shift and Slide

3. Do Not allow opportunites to penetrate - dribble, pass, shot

4. Defensive starting position in transition.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Stage 4: Game - 7 v 7 / 8 v 8 / 9 v 9

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Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Stage 4: Game - 7 v 7 / 8 v 8 / 9 v 9
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Stage 4: Game - 7 v 7 / 8 v 8 / 9 v 9 (30 mins)

INTENSITY: Moderate to high ACTIVITY TIME: 9 mins REST 1 min INTERVALS: 2-3

Activity

-Directional

-No Resrictions on Play

(add #9 and #10 for larger scale game)

Coaching Points

1. As Previous.

2. Win the ball

3. Counter attack

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