Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending Organization - Defensive Block in Zone 3-4 (Central) (Start Time: 2021-07-27 06:00:00)

Warmup (10 mins)

Organization:

• Field is 50yds wide and extends to the half way line.
• Create two teams of 8 players.
• Need 6 cones, 16 balls, 8 red bibs and 8 yellow bibs.

Safety Check:

Check-in with players as they arrive to the field on how they are doing overall. Prior to starting, go over the session topic: Defending Zone 3&4 in a Block. Ask if players feel fit and if they have any new injuries or have any knocks. Be sure to point out some potential safety hazards on the field of play and ask them to remove any jewelry.

• Each team will start with one ball per team. Number the players on the yellow and red team from (1-8). This is a passing sequence game where 1 passes to 2, 2 passes to 3, 3 passes to 4 and so on. After a player passes a ball, they will perform their dynamic movements to warm up. They will increase the intensity and movements as as we progress.

Progression: 

1.Add more soccer balls to make it challenging.

2. After passing the ball, that player will runs to close down the space as the ball travels and then move on.

3. Red and yellow randomly pass among themselves in any order and at the same time attempt to block the passing lanes of the other team. 1 point for interceptions.

Coaching Points:

1. Proper warm up technique and not just going through the motions.

2. Anticipation - start thinking about where is the next pass going and how can I block it.

Analytical - Part 1 (10 mins)

Organization:

• Field is 50yds wide and extends to the half way line.
• Red playing 1-2-4-2 and yellow playing 3-3-1.
• Need 6 cones, 16 balls beside the net, 8 red bibs, GK jersey, and 7 yellow bibs.

C1 - In this coaching position, I will focus on the overall shape (tight team) and attitude from the striker and midfielders making sure they are screening and covering the pass to a player behind them.

C - In this position I will focus on the spaces between the lines making sure they are tight (front to back, and side to side).

Description:

The red team will attempt to play from their GK and get the ball to across the half way line. At the same time, yellow is defending in a block trying to prevent red from scoring or dribbling past half. Red score by dribbling or passing the ball to a player in the end-zone while yellow score by winning the ball back and scoring in the goal. Yellow will attempt to force the ball to the outside or backwards as much as possible. They want to with the ball by intercepting or forcing them to the side and making a tackle.

• Re-start from the GK when a goal is scored.
• Coach the yellow team focusing on the forward and midfielders on how to defend in a block while in zone 3&4, 
• Manage the red team by having them play from the back because yellow is not pressing hard.

Coaching Points:

• Delaying
  • 1st Def applies pressure to prevent forward passes or dribbling 
• Cover/screening 
  • 2nd Def provides cover for the space in behind the 1st defender. 
  • apply pressure on the ball while screening the pass to other team's members(red team). *keep them in your shadow*
• Balance
  • 3rd Def provides balance on far side while pinching in to stay connected.
• Shift and stay Compact - stat tight at a team and do not get split by passes or dribbling. Be discipline to shift and cover your teammate and not be too concerned with man marking.
• Communication - are the players talking to each other on where they need to be and if they are in the correct screening/cover position

Where are they on the field? Close to our goals? Far away? Where do we want to win the ball?

Final Game (15 mins)

Organization:

• Field is 70yds long x 50yds wide with a half-way line and 2 goals at either end. 
• Two equal teams of 7 plus a GK's. 
• Balls distributed beside goal and around the field to keep the game flowing when balls go out of play.
• Need 10 cones, 16 balls, 7 red bibs and 7 yellow bibs, and 2 GK jerseys.

C - I will position myself here to see the majority of the field. and still focus on the striker and midfielder movements in our block.

Description: 8 v 8 Game

• Final scrimmage using FIFA Rules.
• Coaching the Yellow team and managing the Red team during the game.

 Coaching Points:

• Delaying
• Cover/screening
• Balance
• Shift and stay Compact
• Communication