Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): FAW UEFA C- DEFENDING THE LINE- GENERAL PRACTICE

Defending the line in pairs (15 mins)

Primary Focus

Improve our teams ability to defend a line while working in pairs. Precursor to defending in a line of 3/4/5.

Organization

If 14 Players: 2 Grids or 6 Field Players + 1 GK

If no GK's can add small goals on each side.

4-8 Small Goals/2 Big Goals

All balls will be with the GK. Grids will be designated by sticks/cones + flats to designate zones.

Area Size (Will depend on the age of the players + skill level + number of players available)

End grids are 10-20 Yards Long x 20 Yards Wide With the central zone being 4-6 Yards Long.

Player No's

2 GK's + 12 Field Players

3 Teams of 2 in Red,Blue,Green

Timings (9-18 Min Total)

3 Rep's of 2 Minutes On with 1 Minute Off- Allows rotation of all field players to defend.

Could add a 2nd set if needed.

Explanation:

Ball will begin with the goal keeper and the 2 players in Grid A. They will be looking to play the ball at tempo to unbalance the 2 defending players in Grid B. Their objective is to try and play through the central zone to connect with the players in Grid C.If they are successful, the players in Grid C must connect before scoring the goal (1 or 2 Touch).

The team defending look to screen passes/block passes and recover possession. If they are beaten, 1 or both players can now enter Grid C to dry and deny the goal scoring opportunity. If they win the ball from the initial group, they are now allowed to go 2v2 to the big goal.

Challenges:

The challenge for the players defending is to try and not allow the ball to pass through their zone. We are looking for them to screen passing lanes and try to intercept the ball to cause a transition moment. Attacking group is looking to connect from Grid A to Grid C as many times possible in the 2 Minutes.

Conditions:

GK + 2 Initial Field Players(Grid A) looking to break the initial line

Defending Group (Grid B) trying to screen pass and deny the ball traveling to the third grid

Team looking to receive the ball (Grid C): good movement + verbal and non verbal communication to create options for forward passes.

Targets:

The aim of the drill is to Block Passes/Intercept Possession/Attempt shots+score goals/Do not allow attacking group to score in the mini goal. Always working with your partner to be in good defensive positioning.

Progressions (Harder)

1.Enlarge Space-Distance to defend

2.Allow attacking team more touches

3. Allow team in Grid C to score from the initial pass either 2 Touch

Regressions (Easier)

1.Condense Spacing

2.Limit touches from attacking team

Key Points:

1.Cover-Pressure- Recovery

2.Communication

3.Variety of tackles/interceptions/blocks

4. Ability to go from Defense to Attack