Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Breaking Defensive Lines

Profile Summary

Name:	Andrew Cutt
City:	Edinburgh
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

Breaking defensive lines in football involves passing or dribbling to move the ball past an opponent's midfield or defensive structure, disrupting their formation to create scoring opportunities. Effective methods include forward passes, intelligent movement, playing through gaps, and utilizing 1-2 passing to get behind defenders and force them to turn and defend.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): BDL - Drill

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BDL - Drill

Theme

This drill encourages players to think about quick combination play to break a defensive line and hit a target. Varying methods, quick thinking and decision making, communication are all key in this exercise.

Organisation

Split 12 players into 3 teams of 4. 2 teams participate in a 20m by 5m box, with the third team acting as target players.

Task

- One target player will play a ball to the blue team, the two blue players must break the yellow team line and successfully complete a pass to the opposite target player to achieve the point.

- Run the drill for two minutes, adding up points for the blue team.

- Blue team then become target players and yellow team try to break the red team line.

- Reds then try to break the blue team line.

Progression

- After the first round, have the teams try to break a different team, or, switch some of the players from one box to another to provide variation in opponent.

Coaching Points

- Give time for instruction to both attacking teams and defensive teams.

- Attackers should be encouraged to pass and move, being mindful of offside.

- Quick attacks, and variation. If 1 on 1 then drive at the defender commit him and get past him.

- Defenders should be encouraged to press and drop or cover, as a two, so as not to get caught square.

- Can defenders take numerical advantage by making a 2v1, isolating the player in possession.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 3v2 waves of attack

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3v2 waves of attack

Theme

In this game the players move on to a 3v2 attacking overload scenario, where the attackers are encouraged to use numerical advantage to create attempts on goal in varying formats. It may be that 2 players combine to play a 1-2, breaking the line and having a shot at goal, or that one attacker makes forward runs to wide positions in an attempt to play crosses, with the other two attackers making varied runs to front post, far post and dropping short.

Organisation

Using one goal and one GK, have 4 or 6 players in groups of two behind the goals, either side of the posts. Have the rest of the players ready to attack in groups of three, at approximately a third of the pitch away.

Task

- Defenders pass the ball to an attacking player, and three attackers advance, combining to create goal-scoring opportunities.

- Record the number of goals in a set time period, and then mix up the teams so all players get to attack and defend.

Progression

- Allow a third defender to come on after a set time, i.e. if no attempt on goal after 15 seconds, a third defender can join in.

Coaching Points

- Encourage quick attacking combinations

- Attackers vary their combinations, being creative, problem solving and good decision making

- Good timing of runs and well weighted passes

- Don't get caught offside

- Defenders to delay the game and try to make 2v2 by isolating the third attacker