Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Back 4 Defending (Start Time: 2013-04-16 13:00:00)

untitled (40 mins)

Practice Organisation

-Area 30x30yds with line across width 10 yards into practice area, with cones, goals & target boxes arranged as illustrated.

-12 Players organised 4v2 in 10yd end zone, plus 4 defenders in large area, 1 Ball

- Players restricted to designated zones

- 2 Target Players 5yd behind 4v2 zone, defending goals

Practice Starts with: ball fed in to 4v2 by T Player

Objective: Retain possesion in 4v2 in the end zone & look for opportunities to Clip Passes into target boxes, at other end.

Alternatively: Players c an run with ball out of end zone to get through one of the coned gates to score

D's must be aware of players looking to break through gate, or when to drop off to intercept or deflect lofted passes into target boxes

If D's gain possession: they try to make long passes past T's at opposite end to score & practice continues.

If pass is intercepted by T's defending targets: play xcontinues as they feed back into 4v2 game

Detail

-Scale & size of targets can be adjusted to suit skills levels, but need to remain realistic

Progression

T's Move into defenders zone to receieve pass & run with ball through 10y end zone

Key Coaching Points

D's need to constantly evaluate & prioritise threat

Adjust to triggers: pressure or no pressure on ball: slide & press as a unit

Adjustment to movement or flight of ball

Movement of Individual D, to adjust position: side on where possible

Adjustment to regain compactness if defensive line is broken

Decision on 1st touch to clear ball or controlled possession to pass & play out from main area to T's