Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Defending in our own Third (Start Time: 2021-08-03 15:15:00)

Arrival (10 mins)

Arrival  - 5.55pm to 6.05pm

Players in small groups of 3's or 4's working in small triangles. Whilst moving the ball around in their small groups players to discuss Saturdays game. What they felt they did well individually and collectively. 

Change players every 30 seconds and walk around amongst the groups to listen to the conversation and praise feedback.

Bring players in for 1 minute to highlight discussions and ask 3 players to speak to the group with the match feedback on one thing they felt the team did well. 

Explain session topic; Defending in our own third focusing on the back 4 unit and #4 & #8 OOP. 

Move straight into the warm up

Warm up part 2 (25 mins)

6.10pm - 6.25pm (Max) 

Warm up - Pressing - Cover - Balance 

Set up;

Set up a zone inside a squared off area with two goals positioned at either end.

Divide the players into 3 teams - 1 team inside the circle and 2 outside.

Objective; 

Players on the outside to work together to attempt to pass the ball through the defending players to a team mate on the outside. If they do so they take a point off the defending team. Players on the outside must not enter the circle.

Players in the circle (the defending team) must try to not allow any passes through them and to screen and intercept attempted passes. When the team intercept the ball they are unlocked out of the circle and combine to score in either goals. This is worth 3 points.

The goals represent a quick transition and a successful pass to a wide fullback or the #7 or #11

Balls supplied around the side. The team has several attempts to penetrate to score. When the ball goes out of play or intercepted and scored against then a new ball is used. Once all footballs are used then the teams rotate.

Rule - Grass skimmers only - no high balls. Once the ball is intercepted all players unlocked and players now in possession can score in the 2 goals provided.

• The team on the inside of the circle can send one player out to press and to set traps
  
• Outside players can dribble in the circle and if they can get through the team will score 3 points Outside team player can go into the circle to act as a pivot 
  

Coaching Points

Attacking team

• Quick passing & combinations to move opponents to create gaps
  
• Quality receiving
• 1 or 2 touch passing to penetrate
  
• Don't force the pass
  

Defending team

• Compactness  
  
• Closest player presses with speed 
  
• 2nd closest player provides cover to reduce 1v1 scenario
• Other players provide balance
• When the ball is passed player drops & new closest player then presses
  
• If one player keeps chasing the ball gaps will open up
• Communication - encourage quick press - praise hard work - Vocab DROP COVER PRESS
• Check shoulders to see the threat & create cover shadows
• Anticipate a pass and intercept

Battle or Block - If your close enough to battle then battle, if far away Block

CP

1st Coaching Point

Opponents #4 or #8 plays the ball into the feet of the #11

Players to slide across and screen as a unit 

Triggers to move/press

Opponents #4 or #8 line up to pass wide, they look, set their feet and shoulder to pass. 

#8 that presses must be quick to get to the play receiving the ball. They must not over commit themselves and allow the opponent #11 to cut in on the inside and play between #8 and #4

Delay, Deny and Dictate the player on the ball and try and force the play back to opponents goal

CP

3rd Coaching Point

Opponents #4 plays the ball into the feet of the #11 and then returns the play into the feet of the opponents #8 

Coaching Point, Don't charge out to open up space in between holding midfielders and the back 4. Look to delay whilst the back 4 edge out. Joe and Martim nice and vocal. 

CP

5th Coaching Point

#4 and #8 have been split

Back 4 hold their positions and stay solid and compact whilst #4 and #8 recover, one player gets behind the ball and the other back tackles. 

If the opponents #9 has too much space and can turn, our #5 or #6 must come out to engage the player with the FB tucking in to provide cover and balance.

Can the back line make the opponents #9 to play backwards to their own goal?