Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Individualised Based - Defending The Box - Out of Possession - No 8 (Start Time: 2025-04-06 12:20:00)

Screen 1 (20 mins)

Objective:-

• The coach will focus on how to defend the box;
• Keep the ball rolling as much as possible;
• The coach will manage the team in possession (blues) & will coach the reds, however, specifically coach the Nos 4 & 5, the central defenders;
• Multi-directional possession drill.

Conditions:-

• 6 V 5 Players;
• The area size;
• Blue team to maintain width at all times;
• 3 to 5 seconds for the defending team (red team) to score in one of the small goals;
• Blue team - to play, central, wide and over.

Challenge:-

• Can you stop them from playing through the middle;
• Can you stop them from playing the ball over;
• Can you stop them from playing the ball through the wide area.

Target:-

• Can you stay together and force them wide;
• Can you be patient and delay the attack;
• Can the team recover the ball and score a goal.

Coaching Details:-

• My ideal way to defend is to stay compact and force them wide;
• Protect the middle;
• Force them wide;
• Understand when & how to control the space behind;
• Interchange positions;
• Stay Narrow;
• Stay compact;
• Minimise box entries;
• Stop crosses;
• Defend the box;
• Communication.

Description / Progression:-

• Target Players - Coaching the red team, specifically Nos 4 & 5 and managing the blue team;
• Final third full dimensions;
• 20 Minutes Session;
• 2 minutes to frame the session;
• Block 1: 3 Minutes - No6 to play infront of x2 CD to protect any balls played along the ground into opposition No9, and to stop balls being played through central area.
• 1 Minute Terminal Break;
• Block 2: 3 Minutes - Opposition play ball wide, CD pushes out to support RD or LD with the No6 dropping into the CD position.
• 1 Minute Terminal Break;
• Block 3: 3 Minutes - No6 presses the first pass, once opposition play back, CDs drop to get in position to attack any high balls and win the headers, x1 CD attacks the header, with other CD recovering and try to win 2nd ball,
• 1 Minute Terminal Break
• Block 4: 3 Minutes - Allow free play for the last 3 minute block.
• 1 Minute Terminal to provide feedback to the players

Equipment:-

• 10 Balls;
• 30 Flat cones;
• 11 Players / Bibs (6+5 different colours);
• 1 Big goal / 3 small goals.