Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U16 Girls Bayhawks - Defending on the flanks (Start Time: 2021-04-01 18:30:00)

Technical Warm-up (5 mins)

Organization

Set-up 1 cone in the middle and from there, a diamond shape cone sequence 6 yds apart as shown in diagram above. Coach is off to side with extra soccer balls. Players are divided equally behind all 4 diamond shaped cones.

Instructions (6-8 minutes)

Technical Prep

Player A begins with the ball and plays to Player B. Once having made the pass, Player  A accelerates toward the back of line Player C (always opposite line to line player is passing to). This continues in the same direction and each player executes the same movement and action.

Progression

1. Players switch sides and now play left and run right.

2. Players decide which side they pass/run to.

3. Player opposite from player receiving the ball presses. Teaching reactive defending cue. (ie; PA passes to PB, so PC shuts down PB). Once players shuts down, they join the back of line they shut down.

Coaching Points

- technical passing and receiving quality (back foot receive, pass with front foot)

- passing with pace and accuracy

- press when ball is travelling (reading cues from receiving player as to where ball will be played next)

Flank Play - Defending (25 mins)

Organization

Set-up the field as shown in the diagram above. 2/3rds of the field in Zone 1 and 2. 1 large goal (black to score in) and then two small goals on the other side of the field (yellow to score in). Soccer balls are scattered around the perimeter with a few placed at each net. 

Instructions

Both teams set up as a 4-3-3 (adjusted) formation. Game begins as an 8v7 with the black team (attacking) looking to score in the full size goal, and the yellow team (defending) to score in the small target goals. Play begins with the black CB who initiates the attack. Regular laws of the game apply except corners and throw-ins. Black team starts with ball at restarts. If GK picks up the ball, yellow can counter on small goals. Black CB can play anywhere forwards.

Coaching Points

As black team works to play down the flank to their RW, yellow team looks to press. The LW looks to delay the the back RB in an effort to stop forward play and allow time for team to get compact. If ball gets played forward to black RW, the LW will press from behind and disallow any passes played back. The CM will provide cover for LB or press herself (closest player to ball) or screen - that way CBs stay central. If RW takes first touch inside or looks to move inside, the CM can press and the LB will drop back into covering position (good partnership between LB/RB and CMs). The two CBs will shift over to balance out the back line. Can we create a trap on the flank - pressing to reduce any exits leaving only one pass free - this is when we press quickly blocking all exits and ready to regain possession. 

Compactness - when CB is about to play the ball in, yellow team must assemble as quickly as possible as ateam to protect areas of the fieldvulnerable to scoring opportunities. This team movement to get compact is the same if yellow loses possession throughout game.

Delay - pressure the attacker to reducetheir time and space and prevent the ballfrom being played forward. In diagram above, this can be the LW, CM or LB. Whomever the player is that is closest to the ball presses (primary defender). This movement toward shutting down player with the ball slows down the attack and allows for the defense to reorganize and disallow being outnumbered. 

Support/Cover - all secondary defenders getting into positions where they can support the primary defender and restrict/reduce space for attackers. Look to create 2v1s, 3v2s or 4v3s on the flanks with players not in possession able to be numbers up. CM is an important secondary defender as slides in between CM and LB to keep CBs central. Second CM also important to shift and create defending layers. Important for players to track back.

Control and Restraint - if players chooses to play back and receiving player has time on the ball, important to recognize that when no pressure on the ball = drop vs when pressure on the ball = step and hold. Important for GK to close gap between back line. Forcing opposing team to make mistakes.

Balance -  important to retain team shape as attack shifts from flank to central and back. Sealing of the space away from the ball inorder to limit the opponent’s attackingoptions. 

If LB regains possession, looking to expose the open space on the far diagonal side of the field. Can we quickly attack through CMs while CS and RW are dispersing. Looking to counter attack before black team get organize and press the ball. In this case, look to play forward quickly to counter on small nets. Can encourage quick attacks by giving yellow team extra points if they score within a certain time frame (ie: 10 seconds). 

Progressions

Ball starts with yellow CM who plays back to black to start (mimic a loss of possession)



Cool Down (10 mins)

Instructions

Players cool down as a group by performing a variety of dynamic movements in a line. (ie; light jog, shuffling, open/close of gate, hamstring rock n rolls, hamstring kicks, sumos). 

Once complete (5-6 minutes), players get into group and perform a variety of static stretches. While players are completing their routine static stretches (individual/group), coach is debriefing the session.