As was shown in the Barcelona v Chelsea game, there is a lot to be said for positive, and sometimes opportunistic, approach play in football.
When the ball is turned over and possession is lost it's important you put pressure on the attacking team collectively, from congesting the midfield to cutting off the channels and preventing the fast break. The key here is to force the error quickly, regain possession and look for depth once again (this is what lead to Drogba's extra time goal).
To get your side defending with a Chelsea-like-doggedness we start this session with a number of agility drills to work on fast footwork and explosiveness without the ball, preparing your players to apply pressure on the ball quickly, as soon as they have lost it. Following this we then focus on the following defensive techniques:
in more ways than one
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in more ways than one
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Set pieces account for roughly a third of all goals in football, yet many coaches spend surprisingly little time coaching defensive organisation at corners and free kicks. This article compares zonal and man marking systems, explores hybrid approaches, and provides a practical session structure for building set piece resilience into your team.
A player's first touch determines everything that follows: whether they can play forward, turn, or simply retain the ball. This article explores why training first touch in isolation is not enough, and how to design sessions that develop this critical skill under realistic game pressure.
The coaching methodology revolution sweeping grassroots football - and how to implement it at your club this season.
