Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): RHS - Defend Higher up the Field I

Defending in 4's SSG (20 mins)

Intervals:

3 min work + 1 min rest x 6 games = 24 min

Setup:

2 or 3 teams of 6

50x25 grid split in half (25x25 in each half) with 4 lanes

Activity:

All players stuck in their half.

Defenders should stay in their lanes.

Attacking team moves ball around and tries to play penetrating pass into attackers behind defense.

2 Attacking players must complete one pass before scoring in small goals.

Coaching Points:

~ Checking shoulder to see where attacker is

~ Recovering to deny dangerous space/split after ball is played square

~ Immediate recovery if ball breaks the defensive line

8v8 - Deny Central Penetration (20 mins)

Setup:

Half field (field should be shrunk a little to be 60 yards wide)

2 teams in 1-4-3 formation.

Balls behind each GK.

Activity:

1) Teams score by passing ball into GK feet.

2) Teams score by passing ball into GK hands (or feet).

Coaching Points:

~Cues of when to step: bouncing ball, backward pass

~Don't let player on ball turn to face forward

~Back four squeezing together to deny penetrating pass

~Reading cues of when to drop: time & space on ball, head up, approaching ball to strike

~Open body shape of back four - see ball and player