Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending Session (Start Time: 2015-04-20 21:50:00)

Technical Warm-up (15 mins)

10 x 20 yards, 1 vs. 1

Player 1 passes ball to Player 2

Player 1 defends against Player 2

Player 2 tries to score through yellow cones; while Player 1 defends

If Player 1 wins the ball; dribble ball across end line

Rotate players

Progression: 2 vs 1 and then 2 vs 2 (move cones out for more space)

Coaching Points: Defenders should keep their eye on the ball; Defenders want to be close to the attacker, close enough so that in a game the attacker would need to look down at the ball; Balanced body positioning and stance to direct player; Stay low, shuffle feet (don’t cross feet up)

Extended Small-Sided Activity (20 mins)

40 x 30 grid. Add three small goals on each end-line.

Play 7 v 7.

Coaching Points: Defenders should keep their eye on the ball; Defenders want to be close to the attacker, close enough so that in a game the attacker would need to look down at the ball; Balanced body positioning and stance to direct player; Stay low, shuffle feet (don’t cross feet up); encourage the defensive team to identify when to press as a unit or when to drop and form a defensive block.

Guided Questions:

Who applies pressure? Who provides cover? Where? Who is providing balance? Where? When to drop? When to step up? What should be the angle of approach? How fast to approach? What is the distance of approach? What is the angle of recovery? How to get compact when the ball is wide? How to get compact when the ball is central?