Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending Wide Area's - Warm Up

Defending Wide Area's - Warm Up (15 mins)

Set Up

• Minimum of 6 players
• 2 mini goals
• flat discs/cones
• balls
• bibs

Organisation

Mark out a 24x12 area and position two colour-coded mini-goals at one end of the area. Mark out two coloured gates at the opposite end of the playing area.

Attackers begin with possession of the ball and if the ball enters through the red gate, the attackers can only score in the opposite red goal. If they enter through the blue gate they score in the opposite blue goal

The Defenders are then forced to defend the wide area and either a) use the touchline to force the Attackers away from the goal or b) show Attackers inside towards the covering Defender to outnumber and regain the ball.

If the Defenders win possession they can score by passing or dribbling through the coloured gate that the Attackers entered the area.

Rotate roles of Defenders and Attackers after a set period or number of attacks.



Technical Coaching Points

Awareness
As a pair, Defenders need to be aware of the position of the Attackers and the ball. Angles and distances.

Communication
Defenders need to communicate with each other and work together to prevent the ball from being played forward.

Body shape
Defenders must get into a side-on position and dictate the direction of play away from goal and towards the side-line.

Footwork Patterns
Defenders need to use a variety of footwork patterns that enable quick changes of speed and direction when Defending. Players can use sprints, shuffles, cross-overs, side steps and backpedalling to move around the playing area.

Press and Get in Line with the Ball
The Defender closest to the ball must accelerate and get in line with the ball to prevent forward play. When the Defender is a yard away from the Attacker, they must slow down to prevent the Attacker from beating them easily.

Read the Play
Defenders must look for triggers and cues to win the ball back such as; a poor pass, a loose touch, ball near the sideline.

Defending Wide Area's - 11v11 Game (30 mins)

Set Up

• 22 Players
• 1 Ball
• Bibs
• Flat discs
• Full Pitch
• 2 Goals

Organisation

Using the full field, divide the pitch into three vertical channels and split players into 2 x teams of 11 (or equal teams dependent on the number of players at practice). Match rules apply.

Conditions: Goal scored from a cross = 3 goals. Goalkeeper catches a cross = 1 goal. Full Back or Wide Forward regains the ball in wide channel in final third = 1 goal.

Encourage players to recognise when to show inside, when to show outside and to prevent crosses ad goalscoring opportunities being created by the opposition from wide areas.

Allow teams to play as coach observes.

Make it more challenging
The attacking team must switch the play at least once before scoring.

Make it easier
If the Defending team can keep the Attacking team in a wide area for 6 seconds they regain the ball.

Defending Principles of Play

Pressing and Support
Players must press the ball as individuals, units and as a team when there is an opportunity to regain the ball. The Defending team must win the ball as high up the field as possible whilst preventing crosses if the ball is near the area.

Recover and Delay
As a defensive team, players should look to deny penetration from dribbling and prevent attackers from playing forward by providing cover and delaying the attack whilst pressing the ball in positions where defenders can outnumber the attackers.

Compactness
Staying compact will limit the Attacking team's ability to pass or dribble centrally and force them into the wide areas of the field.

Cover and Balance
Players around the ball must create defensive layers to support the pressing player. Covering players must take up positions where they can see both the ball and the passing options available to the player in possession. Covering players must be ready to adjust their position's quickly and press if they become the closest player to the ball.

Control and Restraint
The Defending team must work together to guide the Attacking team into the wide areas of the field. The Defending team must stay in shape and not allow themselves to become disorganised.