Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending 2v2 (Development)

Initial Pitch Set Up

Organisation

2 SSG's are to be set up at far end of pitch of 15 yards x 20 yards however may need to be adapted to suit numbers.

1 Football per pitch with 4 placed in a nest central to both pitches (2 Spares per pitch).

There should also be a rectangle set of of 20x45 yards, this should be split into 3 colours as shown in the diagram.

Footballs should be ready for players on arrival.

Leraning Objectives

Technical

Tackling

Jockeying

Tactical

Understanding of Basic Positions

Decision making (Defending)

Marking

Positioning (Denying Space)

Physical

Coordination

Core Rotation

Flexibility

Jumping Power

Reaction Speed

Psyco-social

Listening Skills

Accepting Decisions

Respecting the Environment

Discipline & Self Discipline

Concentration

Managing Mistakes

Accepting Responsibility

Self Confidence

Adaptability

Consistency & Relentlessness

Competitiveness & Aggression

Warm Up (10 mins)

Organisation

A rectangle of 45x20 yards to be set up (split into 3 colours) as shown in the diagram.

Players are to have 1 Football each.

The Practice

Players are to dribble around in the rectangle, covering all 3 colours. They should be encouraged to use little touches & to keep the ball under close control.

Key coaching points

Changing direction using a vareity of turns.

Change of pace

Creativity ( encourage a skill)

Progression

When a coach holds up a certain colour cone, all players must race into that colour zone with the ball remaining under control. This should encouage awarness of surroundings & decision making on the ball.

Main Practice (20 mins)

Organisation

2v2's.

Pitches that are already set out should be split horrizontally, ensuring realistic amounts of space (may expand if needed).

Players on each pitch are to be split into 2v2's rather than 4v4's. (Bibs should remain the same as SSG's where possible to allow smoother transitions.

1 Football between each group.

20 mins

4x4 blocks of 4 mins with 1 min rest periods.

The Practice

2 v 2's focusing on defensive principles.

Players are to split into defenders & attackers, defenders are to be placed by goal with a football.

Defenders are to play a pass to the attackers who the attack the goal.

Defenders are to press & win the ball.

Defenders are to swap every 5 minutes for 20 minuets.

Key Coaching Points

- Press the ball

- Side on

- Marking