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Soccer: Shadowing the attacker

Great drills and practices thank you. Have used to great success for...

Steve, Clayesmore Prep School

DESCRIPTION

Players work in pairs with one ball between two cones.

The attacker must move the ball from side to side, using changes of direction, speed and feints and step-overs the try and wrong foot the defender.

The defender's job is to shuffle and follow the attacker, trying the hold them up and not give them an opening.

COACHING POINTS

After 1 minute rotate roles.

Defender should focus on the ball and not be fooled by the attacking players' movements.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Shadow defending:

Players are working in pairs.

Player 1 dribbles forward and player 2 shadows them, not trying to win the ball but trying to put pressure on the player in possession.

1 v 1 skills

Shake and Bake:

Set up as shown with a goal at each end. Play 3 v 3.

Each team elects a goal keeper. This player is allowed to use his hands when saving a shot. He must also go forward as an outfield player during attacks on the opposing goal. Rotate keepers every two minutes.

When a player gets the ball in the opposition's half, he should try to dribble past them. Award 3 points for fakes past the defender and 5 points for every goal. The first team to 21 wins.

Allow the players to pick scores for different skills.

1 v 1 skills

Move your defender laterally:

The attacker dribbles the ball in a confined space from left to right in order to try and move the defender.

The aim here is not to get past your man but to reach the cones at either end before the defender by creating as much space as possible.

Defending

Speed Sidesteps:

Players run towards each other, and then sidestep around each other at the last moment.

Ensure players communicate and decide on a direction of sidestepping before they begin the exercise.

This is important that both players pay attention to avoid any collisions.

1 v 1 skills

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