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Hello Coaches; I have a player who plays as a defender and he wants to start private sessions with me. Any help about the best drills that I can do for him to improve as a defender and improve on the ball (running with the ball
Bashar Al-AminCoach, Lebanon
ANSWERS
Jasmine Coach, England
Hi Bashar,
Here's a drill that I found really useful for defenders. It only requires two players and so enables the defender to focus their attention on their technique and positioning.
Where you mentioned having your player run with the ball you could add this in as a progression! For example, you can have your player try and run a counterattack upon successfully stealing the ball!
Hope this helps.
Individual 1 v 1
DESCRIPTION
Objective: To be able to defend in 1 v 1 situations & learn how to slow down attackers and win the ball back. Detail: Set up 20 x 40 area with cones marking out every 10. Within that area will be 4 channels of 20 x 10. Spilt group into 4 and give a channel each with a small goal at one end. Practice starts 1v1 and P1 (defender) passing into P2 (attacker) then closing down. Objective for P2 is to try and beat the defender and then score into goal. Objective for P1 to win the ball back and counter. Rotate around and rest whilst remaining players have a go. To begin the practice make sure the pass is quality & accurate. Delay & Deny Defender needs to immediately press the ball, reduce space for attacker to work in & reduce decision making time. Body shape/position - side on, low centre of gravity, front font defending, show away from danger or onto weaker side. Speed - Quick to reduce space then de accelerate on approach to give enough time to get into a good shape and position. Be patient and wait for trigger (heavy touch, head down, weaker side etc) to steal the ball.
Individual 1 v 1
DESCRIPTION
Objective: To be able to defend in 1 v 1 situations & learn how to slow down attackers and win the ball back. Detail: Set up 20 x 40 area with cones marking out every 10. Within that area will be 4 channels of 20 x 10. Spilt group into 4 and give a channel each with a small goal at one end. Practice starts 1v1 and P1 (defender) passing into P2 (attacker) then closing down. Objective for P2 is to try and beat the defender and then score into goal. Objective for P1 to win the ball back and counter. Rotate around and rest whilst remaining players have a go. To begin the practice make sure the pass is quality & accurate. Delay & Deny Defender needs to immediately press the ball, reduce space for attacker to work in & reduce decision making time. Body shape/position - side on, low centre of gravity, front font defending, show away from danger or onto weaker side. Speed - Quick to reduce space then de accelerate on approach to give enough time to get into a good shape and position. Be patient and wait for trigger (heavy touch, head down, weaker side etc) to steal the ball.
