Skill Zones (Part 12 - Session 1)

DESCRIPTION

Defending Principles (Session 1)

10-12 mins

Organisation

• Area suitable for group size
• Ball Each
• Chance to express themselves

Key Points

• 1st Practice of the day, excited players with plenty of energy
• Set Challenges
• Set Conditions for different techniques

Progressions

• Can make the areas smaller
• Set time challenges
• Challenge awareness and reaction, eg find another ball in 5 seconds

Movement Game

10-12 mins

Organisation

• Area suitable for group size
• 4 small boxes in the pitch
• 2 Defenders

Key Points

• Players try to run through boxes
• Defenders to protect all boxes by tagging
• Use bib to catch attackers

Progressions

• Can start with more defenders and Challenge by using less
• Make box size bigger to protect
• Point system, 1Pt for catching - 1Pt for attacker running through box

COACHING POINTS

Skill

• First practice of the day, so important to get the players buzzing and ready for the rest of the day. Give them opportunities to express and show off.
• Challenge, when necessary, recognise the ability of the group at the start and decide what is right for them.

Movement Game

• So important that this is done without the football
• Working purely on movement of the defenders, side on, approach, timing
• Give players examples of how to protect and approach a player.
• If you think the group is very understanding and getting a lot of success, then challenge with footballs and tackling instead of tagging, However, the group should be of high ability that can dribble effectively and can challenge the defenders.
• If you add footballs give the defenders and an incentive to be positive. E.g. go pass into a mini goal after you win the ball