Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U19 Defending Zone 3

Technical (20 mins)

Organization: 35L x 30W. 9 players, 1 goal per grid (x2) 

Conditions of play:

•  Ball starts at the bottom of the grid near the goal line, with red always starting in possession. Red score a goal by playing into or receiving in the shaded zone at the top. White score 2 points/goals through winning possession & scoring on the small goal. If ball goes out of play, it goes to the restart point. 

• From the goal line. 

Coaching Points: 

• Primary team (White) 
• Compactness to force the ball outside. 
• Recognizing if high but no pressure on the ball, red can play over into the end zone - being intelligent in the moment. 
• Body position and angle of pressure on approach reinforced. 
• Triggers to press - negative or square pass/pass in between lines. 

SSG (15 mins)

Organization: 44W x 36L (+5 End Zone) 3 teams of 5 + Target & Keeper

Conditions of play: Team attacking the end zone always start in possession, must hit the target to score 1 point, dribble into the end zone for 2 points. If the defending team wins possession & scores on the goal, this will be 3 points. When the team attacking the end zone scores a point, the defending team comes off, the team that just scored the point becomes the defending team & the cycle continues. If the defending team wins possession and scores, they stay on & the attacking team switch with the team resting. 3 minute limit per cycle.

Coaching Points: 

• Forcing into superiority 
• Lock in vs Lock On 
• Compact and difficult to break down.