Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): JFC - Defending High (08.11.25) Individualized

FAW Coach Ed

Matthew Iles

Profile Summary

Name:	Matthew Iles
City:	West Palm Beach
Country:	United States of America
Membership:	Adult Member
Sport:	Football/Soccer

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Description

Defending / Middle - High

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): 1v1 / 2v2

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Learning Objectives

	Technical - KEY PLAYER ACTIONS = aggressive forcheck to disrupt receivng player, control body shape to deny progress, utilize recovery players - Supporting Actions = speed to recover, countermeasure supporting player
	Physical - Work = 5 x 2 min- Rest = 45 sec-Total = 12.5 min
	Psychological - Player-specific cues = immediate speed to control on ball release, adjust for opponent body shape to dictate where you are forcing, jump on backwards pass

1v1 / 2v2 (15 mins)

Defending High: 1v1 & 2v2 (20)

Organization

Blue team (focus) are defending either 1v1 or 2v2 and looking to win the ball and counter to the forward mini goal or dribble into the gate. Red team begin the activity by passing the ball to the FB and then FB into the 6/8, creating the forward defending scenario for the Blue team. Red Team are the in possession team (non focus). Red team look to score into the mini goals.

Coaching Points

- Deny the turn

- Force negative

- Arrive balanced

- Win 1v1 duel

- Counter forward

Principles:

- Pressure / Cover

- Angle of approach

- Speed of approach

Individualized:

Focus on 6/8/7/11 (Defending central areas) Individual defending behaviors.

Football/Soccer Session Plan Drill (Colour): Pressing Rondo

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Learning Objectives

	Technical - KEY PLAYER ACTIONS = aggressive forcheck to disrupt receivng player, control body shape to deny progress, utilize recovery players - Supporting Actions = speed to recover, countermeasure supporting player
	Physical - Work = 5 x 2 min- Rest = 45 sec-Total = 12.5 min
	Psychological - Player-specific cues = immediate speed to control on ball release, adjust for opponent body shape to dictate where you are forcing, jump on backwards pass

Pressing Rondo (15 mins)

Pressing Rondo - 7v3

7 v 3 Pressing Rondo (15 mins)

Transition D>A:

Principle Based Practice

Principle: Counter Attacking

Area 40 x 20
1.5 min x 6 blocks (1 minute terminal)
2 teams of 8 players. One team defending (Blue) & One team attacking (Red)
Defending team (Blue) is positioned behind the Mannequins.
Once the ball is played in, first 4 defenders will sprint into the gird and look to press and win the ball back immediately. If they win the ball, they are looking to score in the mini goal to earn a point. If the ball leaves the grid or the attacking team complete 8 passes, defenders leave and next 4 defenders sprint in to press.
Attacking teams aims to complete 8 passes to score a point. Once they achieve this, the defenders will leave the grid and next 4 defenders will start the press.
Keep score. At the end of the block, rotate defending team.

Coaching interventions:

Walk through
Concurrent
Terminal

Coaching Points/Principles

Apply immediate pressure
Multiple players press
Make spaces small
Pressure, Cover, Balance
Look to get ball out of the recover zone (Mini goal)

Individualized:

Focus on 6/8/7/11 (Defending central areas) unit defending behaviors.

- Pressure Cover Balance (Deny Switch)

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

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Learning Objectives

	Technical - KEY PLAYER ACTIONS = aggressive forcheck to disrupt receivng player, control body shape to deny progress, utilize recovery players, force to overload - Supporting Actions = speed to recover, countermeasure supporting player
	Physical - Work = 4 x 5 min- Rest = 1 min -Total = 23 min
	Psychological - Player-specific cues = Adjust to shape to overload, drop to get narrow, and be aggressive to initiate transition, recognize when to jump, recognize when to progress/replace

Defending the middle (25 mins)

Defend the middle (30)

Organization: GK - 8 v 6

Blue team (Focus Group) are defending the middle and denying the red team from progressing the ball centrally. If Blue win the ball they look to counter to goal. Red team are looking to score in the mini goal. 4/5 Red are unopposed until the ball is bounced back. 2/3 are unopposed (cannot score).

Principles:

2. Multiple players press

3. Stay compact

4. Def lines move collectively

8. Pressure cover and balance

Coaching Points:

Concurrent

Terminal

Walk through

Coaching Process

Individualized:

Focus on 6/8/7/11 (Defending central areas) unit defending behaviors.

- Pressure Cover Balance (Deny central penetration)

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