Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Defensive Position (Start Time: 2025-03-10 17:00:00)

Profile Summary

Name:	Tom Richardson
City:	Lane Cove North
Country:	Australia
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

To teach players correct defensive position and key defending principles.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Screen 1

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Screen 1 (15 mins)

Warm-up - 4 station circuit to prepare players for correct defensive movement and body shape (15min)

ORGANISATION:

4 station circuit setup
Station 1: 6 rows of cones
Station 2: 8 agility rings
Station 3: Ladder
Station 4: Zig zag arrangement of cones

HOW TO PLAY:

Split the players into 4 groups and let them spend 4 minutes on each station before rotating them until all groups have completed all 4 stations.

COACHING POINTS:

Ensure player's body position, movement, and speed is correct for each activity.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Screen 2

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Screen 2 (20 mins)

2v1 (20 mins)

ORGANISATION:

Field size of 12m x 6m area with 2 small goals diagonally setup on one side of the grid.
Players split into 3 groups (2 attacking groups and 1 defending group).

HOW TO PLAY:

1 player from defending team plays ball to one of the attackers and the 2 attackers then go into a 2v1 situation against the defender.
The attackers attempt to score in any of the 2 small goals within a 20 second time limit, whilst the defender attempts to either win the ball or delay the attackers from scoring before the 20 seconds is up.
Swap the groups around every 5 minutes to ensure every player as an equal opportunity to attack and defend.

COACHING POINTS:

Ensure defender has body positioned correctly to always keep themselves between the ball and the goal.
Defender should be able to anticipate a pass to other attacker and move quickly into position to protect the goals again.
Delay the attackers as much as possible.
Don't dive in to win the ball unnecessarily.
Identify the right moment/triggers to try and win the ball, such as a bad touch, bad pass, etc.

CHANGE IT / PROGRESSIONS:

Increase the time limit for the defender to prevent a goal to 30 seconds.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Screen 3

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Screen 3 (20 mins)

Defending passes between zones (20 mins)

ORGANISATION:

Create 4 zones, each 2m x 5m.
End zone has 3 small goals.
Zones alternate with attacking and defending players with 3 attackers and 2 defenders respectively.

HOW TO PLAY:

Attacking Team: Start with the ball in first zone and try to pass it to your teammates in the 3rd zone without the defenders intercepting it. Passing between the zones in one direction only until you reach the last set of attackers who attempt to score in the small goals. Players cannot come out of their designated zone.
Defending Team: Try to intercept the ball when being passed to next zone or deny the opportunity for the attackers to make the pass by quickly closing down passing lanes.
If the attacking team fail the score, the process is restarted and the defending team get 1 point. 1 point is also awarded to the attacking team for each goal scored.
Rotate players after 4-minute intervals.

COACHING POINTS:

Defending Team: Focus on defending team working together as a unit in movement and communicating. Highlight the importance of recognizing and closing down the most dangerous next pass or shot at goal.
Attacking Team: Encourage quick accurate passes and movement within the zone to shift defenders. Play the forward pass when the opportunity presents itself, but don’t force it.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Screen 4

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Screen 4 (25 mins)

FULL game simulation focusing on defensive position (25 mins)

ORGANISATION:

Use half of the pitch and split the teams into two.
Full game situation with on the run interventions focusing primarily on the defensive plays.

Q&A:

How can we control the BP team?
What is the potential danger?
What cues are you looking for to remain connected? (reference chain reaction)
What cues are we looking for to win the ball back?
What communication is helpful?

COACHING CUES:

Opportunities
Front foot defending
Proactive
Recognize defensive roles (1st defender, 2nd defender, cover, etc)
Pressure - Cover - Balance
Connected defensive unit
Communication
Cues and Triggers

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