Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): U13 Stingers: Defending

Warm Up: SAQ (15 mins)

Organization:

-Groups of 2 or 3. Small groups to keep the lines moving quickly

-Start and the endline and end on the 18yd line.

Instructions:

-Coach gives commands of different movements for players to perform.

-Side shuffle, back pedal, zig zag shuffle. Movements should reflect the days topic.

-Players always jog or back pedal back to starting position. Should not be walking.

Coaching Points:

1. Good athletic position.

2. Knees bent, chest up.

3. Arms bent slightly, not hanging by side or in pockets.

Progressions:

-Shoulder bump or high five player next to them first, then perform movements.

**Add contact so players must maintain balance.

Main Theme 2: Second Defender (2v1, 2v2) (30 mins)

Organization:

-30x20yd grid.

-Groups of 6 per grid, 2 players in each line.

Instructions:

-Line A passes to Line B.

-Play is live when line B receives the ball.

-Line A goes to defend.

-Play until goal or ball out of bounds.

-If the defender wins the ball, transition to score.

-Rotate clockwise after each turn.

Coaching Points:

1. Communication between defenders, who is pressuring who is covering.

2. First defender knows their role, correct mistakes first before moving to 2nd defender.

3. Role of second defender.

4. Body shape of cover.

5. Distance of support.

6. Communication from second defender.

7. When to step and become first defender.

Progressions:

-Competition:

-Attacker scores = 1 point

-Defenders prevent attacker from scoring = 2 points.

-Defenders score in transition = 3 points

First player to 15 points wins.

-2v2. Coach now serves balls in and add PUG goals