Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): 3 or 4 Team No Split

3 or 4 Team No Split (20 mins)

Session Topic: Defending Principles

Zonal Block Defending

Stage: Stage 1

Set Up:

40 x 40 yard field with 10 yard channels (Scale to age and level of play) balls, bibs, cones

Time:

15 - 20 mins (4 min games to 1 min rest)

Organization:

Coach is the trigger, and plays ball to any team. When in possession team will play to their teammates in the other 10 yard zone. Players cannot leave their zone for any reason. When players have the ball they will look to possess the ball free of pressure then "split" the defensive team. Defensively the player closest to the ball will look to pressure the offensive team. Players who are not pressureing the ball will look to "tuck" back and take away the "split" ball. If the ball is passed the defensive team will have to adjust who pressures the ball and who "tucks" to take away the "split" ball. Points are awarded when the defense wins the ball and when there is a successful "split" pass. If the ball is not a split pass but passed out wide, no point is scored and play continues. When the defensive team wins the ball they will look to posses and play to their teammates to score.

Coaching Points:

1st Defender (Player closest to the ball pressures) Pressures the point of attack

2nd Defender (One pass away) Cover player. Tucks in a drops to take away split ball

3rd Defender (Two to Three Passes Away) Balance Player. Tucks in and drops to take away split ball

Communication (Eye contact, Verbal, Hand Signals) *BE SPECIFIC*

Defensive Intensity