Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Defending as a unit

FAW Coach Ed

Ben Bell

Profile Summary

Name:	Ben Bell
City:	Cardiff
Country:	United Kingdom
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

Session on defending and working together as a unit to defend and be compact.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Rondo, Warm Up

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Rondo, Warm Up (10 mins)

Organisation:

4v1 in a square 13x13M. Doesn't have to be a square or rectangle, can be a circle ect. For Odd numbers can easily do 7v2, 8v3, or split the group into smaller groups. Players in the middle holds onto a bib, outside players are able to move up and down the line to create passing angles. If a middle player wins possession they swap places with the player who lost the ball. Defender is only allowed to intercept.

Aim:

Outside players try to keep the ball away from the players in the middle using quick, short passes.

Coaching points:

Mechanics: On toes, Eye on the ball, body position in line with the ball to receive, angle of approach when passing, firm ankle and follow through.

Using both feet, trying to pass first time if able to, communication.

Progressions/ Regressions:

Progressions: 2 touch maximum per player, Individual challenges e.g First time pass or using other foot. Points allocated for 'x' amount of passes completed. If an attacker loses possession everyone flicks their ear. Have 1 minute of high intensity and fast changeovers followed by 30 seconds of rest.

Regressions: Make the area size bigger so its more difficult for the defenders to win it back, allow players more time on the ball to decide where to pass the ball. Middle players are only allowed to walk.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Defending the box

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Defending the box (10 mins)

Organisation:

3 lines of 4 cones which divide the pitch into quarters, each 7.5M wide. 4v4+2, 1 player in the middle of each quarter (red) who act as the defenders. 4 players (blue) acts as attackers and 2 more attackers stand behind the 4 defenders. Ball starts with the 4 attackers, once they pass to 1 of the two 2 forwards, through the 4 defenders, the two wide attackers run forward creating a line of 4 attackers. The play then restarts going the other way. Defenders must stay in their zones, 4 attackers must also stay in their zones, the 2 forwards can move freely behind the defenders to create passing angles. For Odd numbers remove an attacker in front of the defence. For 12 have 4 attackers on each side to begin with.

Aim:

Aim is for the attackers to pass the ball to the forwards through the 4 defenders. If they achieve this they get a point, if the defenders intercept the pass they get a point.

Coaching points:

Mechanics:Get in line, acceleration to apply Pressure on the ball, deceleration, body position, on toes, be patient, decision.

Communication, cutting passing lanes

Progressions/ Regressions:

Progressions: Adjust the area size, make it bigger if the defenders are having too much success. The 4 attackers can interchange between zones. Time limit for the attackers on the ball.

Regressions: Make each zone smaller so the defenders get more success. Only have 1 player behind the defenders. Use the spare attacker as a extra defender who could be in front of the 4.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Defence V Attack

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Defence V Attack (15 mins)

Organisation:

Using the 12 cones, use 6 on each side to mark out 2 channels 5 meters in from the touchline. This practice will use the space in between the channel, 20M wide. The practice involves 2 Jokers, 3 Attackers, 4 Defenders and a Goalkeeper. Jokers start the play with the ball. They play it to the attackers who look to score, the attackers can play it back to the Jokers. If the attackers score the play restarts with the Jokers, if the defenders win it back, they look to play the ball forward to one of the Jokers. Jokers act as Central Midfielders would in a game. For Odd numbers only use 1 Joker. For 12 players have a 5v4 instead of a 4v3 using a pitch 30M wide.

Aim:

Aim is for the defenders to win the ball back from the attackers and play it to a Joker, the Attackers are trying to score.

Coaching points:

Mechanics:Get in line, acceleration to apply Pressure on the ball, deceleration, body position, on toes, be patient, decision.

Communication, cutting passing lanes, tracking runners.

Progressions/ Regressions:

Progressions: Could start with a defender behind the 'Jokers' who's only allowed to help the other defenders once the ball has been passed to the attackers. Could allow a Joker to join in with the attackers. Could make a defender wait in each channel for the ball to be played in to the attackers before entering the pitch. Individual challenges for defenders, e.g One is the leader who organises the other players.

Regressions: Have 1 Joker and use the other player as an extra defender.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Small sided game, Defending compact

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Small sided game, Defending compact (25 mins)

Organisation:

30x30M pitch with two 5M channels on each side. 5v5 games, Goalkeepers are required when defending but when attacking the goalkeeper can become an attacker (Goalie Rush). When in possession the team must have 2 players in the wide channels, defending team can't enter the wide channels. For 12, use 6v6 on a pitch 36x36M. If using odd numbers have a neutral player who plays for the team in possession

Start with free play, add in the condition, finish with free play.

Aim:

Aim is to score more goals than the opposition.

Coaching points:

Mechanics: Get in line, acceleration to apply Pressure on the ball, deceleration, body position, on toes, be patient, decision.

Communication, cutting passing lanes, tracking runners.

Progressions/ Regressions:

Progressions: Wide players only allowed 2 touches or a defender is allowed to enter the wide channel to create a 1v1. Only 1 is allowed in a wide channel at a time. Give each time 1 minute to discuss tactics and other ways to improve.

Regressions: Even when attacking, teams must have a permanent goalkeeper.

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