Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending (Start Time: 2025-03-31 09:30:00)

Profile Summary

Name:	Dan Squibbs
City:	Rochdale
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

Coaching Defending skills with slight emphasis on Attacking too, 1v1, 2v2 and finishing with 3v3

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Screen 1

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Arrival Activity 5-10 mins (6-8 players)

Small sided game, No coaching

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Screen 2

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Warm Up (10 mins)

3 attackers with a ball to try and get through a gate before getting stopped, Defenders to block the gates(space) or tackle for a point, Attackers receive a point for a successful dribble through a gate

Organisation- 15x20m area, Bibs, Cones, Footballs

Coaching points- Defender- stay close to attacker, put pressure on attacker and protect the gate, stay low and side on

Progressions- swap over the players so they all get a turn defending, play a 3v3 with one ball with similar scoring

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Screen 3

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Defending 1 v 1 (15 mins)

Learning Objective:

Looking for players to understand how to defend in a 1 v 1 situation, where players might have to defend (Area of the pitch) When is a good time for a defender to try and win the ball.

Organization: 15 x 20m pug net, cones, Bibs, balls

Procedure: Server (black) This can be a coach or a player, They serve into the attacker (red) as the ball is in motion the defender (blue) looks to close down and win the ball from the attacker. The attacker looks to score in the small net. if the defender wins the ball they look to dribble or play the ball across the line or into a target player .

Restraints: Give them a time limit 15/20 sec , set up a scoring zone so players have to score inside (worth more points)

Rewards: If the attackers can get into the scoring and score in less than 15 sec they get an extra point. If the defenders cant win the ball but deny a goal within 15 sec they get a point.

Coaching Details: look to close down quickly, speed/angle of approach , eyes on the ball, (delay, deny, dictate ) balance and body , threaten the ball

Principles : Delay - The ability to prevent the ball from being played forward quickly. A pressuring player needs to reduce the time and space of the attacker to prevent the ball being played forward. This is especially important when outnumbered to allow the team to re-shape to a loss in possession appropriately.

Discipline/Patience - Defending players need to be patient and assess the risk involved in challenging for the ball. A well structured defending line can quickly become disorganized with one rash challenge. Players need to exercise control and restraint and re-adjust their shape to changing scenarios. Players also need to be alert to their surroundings at all times (switched on!).

Progressions- Change to 2v1, 2v2, 3v2 and then 3v3 (add extra goal if needed)

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Screen 4

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3v3 Game of Attack vs. Defence (15-20 mins)

Objectives: Learning Intentions - Defend as a group Pressure/Cover/Balance

Balance: maintain shape, denying space,

Delay: if you cant win the ball back , look to deny your opponent making forward progress.

Control and Restraint: Being Patient to regain possession

Organisation: 1/4 of the pitch, two small goals, cones, bibs and footballs

Pitch Perimeter: Zone 1 & 2 -area approx. 1/4 pitch

Restraint: Time Limit for the attacking team to create a goal scoring opportunity

Reward: Defending team win possession and they receive a point, If they advance to the line by dribbling or pass an extra 2 points

Activity:

- Play starts with server (Coach) playing the ball into attackers, they must try and score in one of the two small goals , whilst the defenders maintain their shape and try and win possession and then counter towards the line

Coaching Points

-Good 1v1 defending skills (speed/angle approach, body shape, distance, defender closet to the ball close down quickly pressure the player with the ball)

covering defending (distance/angle of position, communication, switching roles) if first defender is beaten, they become the pressure.

-Team shape and decision-making (balance, when to press high, when to drop off low)

-Good communication with team mates

Tactics: not to allow the attackers to play through us centrally, look to force them wide and away from the goal. Deny them a goal scoring opportunity or shot

Progressions- Change over, play a 3v3 match without the lined area

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