Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending: 1 v 1, 2 v 1, 2 v 2, Position specific, in scenarios

Screen 1

Warm up

Neville v Neville or Rafael v Fabio.

Mirror Mirror

Can you stay close enough to your partner so they dont score

2 players in a 5yrd by 5yrd box. A gate either side of the box. Attacker has the ball and can move anywhere in the box with the ball and can use dummys and turns to trick the defender, he must try and get the ball to one of the gates and stop it on the gate line before the defender reacts and beats him to the gate line. Best of 5 then change partner. ( No tackling )

Screen 3

Technique/Skill

2 Defenders. 1 defender passes to attacker and closes down when he has his first touch. The other defender makes a 2 v 1. Attacker must try and stop the ball on the defenders line.

Key Points

A-On your toes, quick reaction get out to the ball, curve your run to force down one way.

B- Brakes on, side on position and low. Eyes on the ball.

C- Can you make the tackle with your front foot ( closest to the ball) and push the middle of the ball away from attacker.

F- Secure possesion and get your body in between ball and man. Pass or dribble.

Progression

2 defenders vs 1 attacker

2 defenders vs 2 attackers.

key points

Copy body positions, force one way together.

angle and depth to cover.

Communicate.

1st defender out to the ball curved run, low and side on to force the attacker towards the 2nd defender. 2nd Defender should apply the pressure when the attacker becomes closer to him rather than defender 1. Defender 1 then provides the cover and depth and same body position.

Remember the four C s : Communicate, Compact, Cover, Commitment

Challenge 2

If defender wins the ball he can pass through the red gates to score 5 points.

If he wins the ball or forces play out of the working area its 3 points.

If the attacker scores its -1 point.

Who will get the most points in 2 to 3 mins play?

Screen 5

Defending drill

Blue team keeping ball for 2 mins

Red team split into half front player from each line runs in to the areato defend 6 vs 2

Every 30 secs coach sends in a different two. After 2 mins how many touches did defenders get?

Progression

6 vs 3

6 vs 4

When defenders win it keep ball

Screen 7

Conditioned game 5 vs 5

Use a magic man or overload if needed or play 6 for Home team against 5 for Away team.

European cup semi final

Home team starts 1-0 down and have unlimited touches but a 1 touch finish.

Away team have unlimited touches in own half, 1 touch only in attacking half.

Poles, cones or spots at the side of the pitch for an offside line. Anyone on the attacking team caught between the goal and poles when the pass is played will be offside as long as the defence has moved up beyond that player.

10 mins then second leg.

Key points

Communicate.

Work together to close down.

Show players away from goal.

Cover each other.

Move across the pitch as a unit as if attached by string.

Throw body on the line, anything to stop goals being scored.