Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): winter training SOFIVE :Defending pressure and cover (Start Time: 2024-01-11 15:40:00)

SAQ (5 mins)

Juggling Challenge - 3 Small touches, 1 Big touch (above head)

Organization:

1. Two lines of equal numbers.

2. 10 x 15 Yard Area.

Instructions:

1. Players do dynamic stretches and coordination movements through the middle and high skips on the way back.

2. Next player in the line goes as soon as the player in front gets to the middle cones.

Coaching Points:

- Quality of movement

Main Theme (15 mins)

Organization:

As above.

Instructions:

- Defender plays to attacker then joins area and the two go 1v1 to the offset goals. Play until the ball goals of play or a goal is scored. At that point next defender plays is to the next attacker. Game is continuous. Swap roles after 3 mins.

Coaching Points:

- Quality of pass,

- Speed of pressure,

- Angle of approach,

- Last step in, first step back,

- Body position - Side on, stay low,

- Eyes on ball,

- Be patient!

- Front foot poke tackle when the time is right.

Progressions:

Competition between the two teams.

Small Sided Game (15 mins)

Organization:

3v3 game - 3 teams - Winners stay on

Coaching Points:

- Role of first defender (pressure/delay)

- Role of second defender (cover)

- Role of third defender (balance)

- Are players aware of the above roles they have?

- Speed of transition between roles as ball travels

- Willingness and desire to compete and win the ball

- Keeping play compact as a group

- Effective communication

- Speed of recovery if beaten

- Speed of thought and movement in transition