Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Individual defending priorities

Ball Manipulation15 mins

Free Play Ball Manipulation Skills

Set up:

* 30 x 30 yard area

* Each player with a ball

Instructions:

* Players perform a ball manipulation skill

* Either players perform a skill and break into a new space then continue and repeat

or players perform skilland upon coaches call 'break!' players accelrate into a new space and continue skill.

Rondo 4v210 mins

Rondo 4v1

Set up: 10x10 / 8x8 Square.

1 Ball

5 Players (1 Defender in the middle)

Players on the line, assigned a number or role represntative of position (i.e. No. 5 / CB)

Player Objectives:

Defender focus:

* Recognising player body shape to where the ball may go.

* Question: Can you find ways of making the players pass the way you want them to?

* Question: What ways can you stop the ball being played across the sqaure?

* Question: How can you work together to stop passes across the square?

* Receive back foot where possible (or Recieve furthest foot from defender if not)

* Play two touch

* Players to stay on the line / just inside

* Player on the left and right to be at supporting positions/angels level with defender for player on the ball

* If defender wins the ball then player who lost possesion switches

SSG30 mins

4v4 SSG

Set up:

* 40 x 50 area

* 1 GK, 2v3 + One neutral player who serves in and supports play

Instructions and Scoring:

* Objective of practice: D’s play out-numbered to prevent A’s from scoring, gain possession & pass in to N’s, to score one point.

Objectives:

* Angle and distance from attackers (Marking)

* Distance from defensive partner (Covering)

* Push attacks into wide areas

* Communication

* Delay the play, Deny Space, or Spoli the play

* Block shots

Challenges:

* Try to push attacks into wide areas

* Try to get into a position / recognise when, to intercept the ball