Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Get better at winning ball back

8 v 8 Lg Goal to 3 Small Goals (30 mins)

Moment

Defending

Objective

To prevent the opponent’s build up, win the ball and score

Player Actions

Pressure/cover/balance • Stay involved • Mark player/area

Key Qualities

Read game/make decisions • Initiative • Focus

Organization

Mark out a 50 x 55-yard field to play 8v8. Red (1-3-2-2) starts with the ball and Blue (3-2-3) defends the three small goals. After each play, players return to their starting positions, and Red’s goalkeeper starts a new attack. Play for 30 minutes with two-three breaks.

Keywords

Stay close to each other, pressure, force them backwards

Guided Questions

1) What are your signals to start pressing? 2) Where should we try to force them to move? 3) As a covering or balancing defender, how can you stay involved by communicating? 4) What should you do when an attacker without the ball moves through your zone?

Answers

1) Bad pass or touch, when the attacker's head is down, or a backwards pass. 2) Towards a covering defender, a weaker opponent, or backwards 3) By telling the pressuring defender the direction to force the opponent. 4) Pass him/her on to a teammate by communicating.

Notes

Change the restart opportunity so that Red's GK does not always start with the ball (throw-ins, Blue starts in possession and then loses, or coach can play in a 50/50 ball). Refer to the Training Session Manual.

4 v 4 fitness (20 mins)

Fitness

3 x 8 reps

time: 1 - 2 minute sets

rest: 1 - 2.5 minutes

Moment

Defending

Objective

To prevent the opponent from building up, win the ball and score.

Player Actions

Pressure/cover/balance • Stay involved • Mark player/area

Key Qualities

Read game/make decisions • Initiative • Focus

Organization

Mark out two 36 x 24-yard fields. Divide players into four teams of four. Free play: Teams play 4 v 4 on 8-yard goal lines without goalkeepers (pass on the ground to score). Goals scored after winning the ball in the opponent’s half count double. Play for 30 minutes with two-three breaks.

Keywords

immediate pressure, force them backwards

Guided Questions

1) Why is it good to win the ball in the opponent’s half? 2) How can we keep them from moving the ball forward? 3) Where should we try to force them to move? 4) As a covering defender, how can you stay involved by communicating?

Answers

1) We’re close to their goal (closer for us to score). 2) Work together to close the openings. 3) Towards a covering teammate or backwards to their own goal. 4) By telling the pressuring defender the direction to force the opponent.

Notes

First break: Coach asks questions, players continue playing to discover answers. Second break: Players share answers with coach and each other. Refer to the Training Session Manual.