Futsal Session (Junior): 1st Defender Principles

1v1 Defensive Warm Up (10 mins)

Players are split into pairs and each given a bib to put in the back of the shorts to act as a tail.

Players then compete against their partner to try and grab the other's tail. Players work for 20-30s trying to get the tail as many times as possible.

CP:

• Body position and stance (knees bent, low centre of gravity, on toes ready to react and move)
• Keep chest facing opponent to see their actions
• Lateral movement as the opponent moves to keep body position (avoid turning hips or crossing legs)

1v1 + 1v1 (2v2) (20 mins)

Game:

Play starts with the attacking player in the middle of the half way court. They will play a pass to an attacking player on one side of the court. Once the pass is played the game is live. The attacking player is to beat the defender and score a goal without going over the other side of the court. The game is over when the ball is out of play, a goal is scored or the defender/goalkeeper win possession. Players rotate positions after every attempt.

CP:

• Can we get close to the opponent before they take their first touch?
  • Travel as the ball travels
  • Fast arrival, slow approach
• Get close enough, fast enough, to get the ball carrier to put their head down 
  • Remain balanced and in control - don't get beat easily
  • Use arms to stop ball carrier 
• How do we stop forward progression towards the goal?
  • Angle of approach - 45*, chest and hips between ball and the goal
  • Low COG - on toes, using lateral movements to keep body between ball and goal
• Can we find the right moment to win the ball?
  • Correct foot - attack the ball with the same side foot
  • Big touch = get body (hips and legs) in front and win front position
  • Facing backwards = hand in lower back, low COG, keep pressure high

Progression: 2v2 split into 1v1

The attacking pair can now each other as a team mate. The players are still locked to their original zones however.

CP:

1st defender principles above still remain the same and relevant. The addition now is off the 2nd defender principles.

• Be in a position to see the ball and your direct opponent (visual triangle)
• How can we assist our 1st defender in stopping forward progression?
  • In visual triangle, adopt a position that prevents the opponent from attacking free space in the centre of the court
  • Create 2 lines of defense early on. If the pressure on the ball increases, the 2nd line of defense can increase while maintaining visual triangle.