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Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Individualised 5

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FAW Coach Ed

Matthew Evans

Profile Summary

Matthew Evans
Name: Matthew Evans
City: Windsor
Country: United Kingdom
Membership: Adult Member
Sport: Football/Soccer
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Description

Session Theme:


Primary Focus: Defending the Penalty Area Effectively Against Various Attacks

Key Defensive Principles:

  • Box Defending: Prioritise attention to detail; work in tandem with the centre-back partner to identify and mark threats.

  • Dealing with Aerial Threats: Execute clearances with height and distance, or use directional headers to help the team retain possession.

  • Protecting Central and Wide Channels: Central defenders must stay alert to runs in behind and defend with body positioning appropriate to the threat.

  • Foot Clearances: Ensure clearances with the feet exit the penalty area safely; focus on selecting the right surface (laces, inside of foot) to guide the ball away from danger.

  • Unit Organisation: Constant communication with fullbacks and midfielders to either squeeze space or drop off depending on the situation.

Practice Structure:


Game Setup:

  • 8v8 including goalkeepers

  • Red Team Shape: 1-4-2-1 (No RW, LW)

  • Blue Team Shape: 1-2-1-4 (No RB, LB, CM)

  • Pitch Size: 60 x 72 yards (half pitch)

  • 4 Blocks of 6 minutes each, with 2 minutes rest between blocks.

Session Breakdown:

  • Block 1:

    • Sequence of 1-2-3 balls played.

    • First ball always long from the opposition goalkeeper to create an aerial duel — defenders focus on heading and securing the box.

  • Block 2:

    • Sequence of 1-2-3 balls played.

    • Emphasis on defending wide-area deliveries — third ball will be served into the wide area for a cross into the box to defend.

  • Block 3:

    • Sequence of 1-2-3 balls played.

    • Focus shifts toward winning possession cleanly and, when possible, building a counter-attack or securing the ball to relieve pressure.

  • Block 4:

    • Players have freedom to apply principles from previous blocks and respond to unpredictable attacking patterns.

Ball Progressions:

  • Ball 1: Played in by the opposition goalkeeper to initiate a direct attacking scenario.

  • Ball 2: Initiated by the coach focusing on a rapid attack — Grey must defend and then quickly look to counter within 8 seconds if possible.

  • Ball 3: A transitional moment where Grey must recover shape quickly and defend against a second wave of attack.

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Session Focus:


Primary Objective: Effectively Defending the Penalty Area Against a Range of Attacking Threats

Key Defensive Coaching Points:

  • Box Defence: Maintain tight marking and clear communication with the centre-back partner to manage threats inside the penalty area.

  • Dealing with Aerial Deliveries: Execute headers with height and distance, or use directional headers to allow the team to regain possession.

  • Defending Central and Wide Areas: Stay goal-side when defending central runs and react quickly to runs in behind, especially from wide deliveries.

  • Foot Clearances: Any clearance made with the feet should fully clear the 18-yard box — select the appropriate surface (laces, instep) to guide the ball accurately and safely.

  • Unit Organisation: Maintain strong relationships with fullbacks and midfielders; control the backline by recognising when to drop deeper or step up to squeeze the space.

Session Organisation:
Practice Setup:

  • Red Team’s Goal: Defend the box and counterattack towards the big goal or mini-goals within 8 seconds.

  • Blue Team’s Goal: Attack the box with variety (direct play, wide attacks, combination play) to score on the big goal.

  • Pitch Size: 60x72 yards (half pitch)

  • Format: 8v8 including goalkeepers

  • 4 blocks of 6 minutes, with 2 minutes rest between blocks.

Conditions and Scoring:

  • Red Team:

    • 1 point for scoring on the big goal.

    • Additional 1 point if the counterattack ends with a one-touch finish or a long ball directly into a mini-goal.

  • Blue Team:

    • Focus on applying different types of attacks (crosses, combinations, direct balls) to score on the big goal.

Coaching Interventions:

  • Concurrent: Coach live during play to reinforce key behaviours.

  • Walkthrough: Pause play to walk players through specific defensive principles or unit positioning.

  • Terminal: Deliver feedback after each block to reinforce or adjust learning points.

Coaching Process:

  • Consistent use of questions to guide player decision-making.

  • Encourage player communication and leadership within the defensive unit.

  • Drive detail in clearances, body positioning, and recognising danger.

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