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ByCopper Mountain Soccer

Link to the Google Presentation

Session 3 Overview

Defending Tactics

  • Rondo 6v2 or 7v2+1
    • 10 minutes
  • 1v2 Defending
    • 15 minutes
  • 3v3
    • 15 minutes
  • Scrimmage
    • 18 minutes

Position Play 6v2

Size: 20×30 yds

Offense–

  • Try to move to create angles and open passing lanes to receive the ball
  • Play away from pressure
  • Score by connecting 5 consecutive passes. If defense touches the ball then offense starts over with their count.
  • If defense wins the ball, offense can try to win it back, in which case the offensive players should close the space. If they win the ball back, offensive players should immediately back pedal to create space and continue play.

Defense– (switch defense every 2 minutes)

  • 2 defenders practice 1st and 2nd defender roles by pressuring the ball to win it back. (skip the blob in this game)
  • If they win possession they should drop the pinnie, and try to dribble or pass to each other in order to stop the ball on the sideline for a point.
  • If defense wins the ball and scores, then the ball goes back to offense.

Coaching Points

  • Defenders should close gaps quickly without over-committing
  • 1st defender pressures close enough to deny a pass into space
  • 1st defender angles body to channel the attacker towards teammate providing cover
  • 2nd defender provides cover close enough to step in quickly to win the ball and close down space, but also far enough away to anticipate the next pass
  • Defenders communicate who presses and covers
  • Defenders remain side-on, low, and balanced

3P INTERVENTIONS

Praise: Brilliant — you pressured the ball quickly and contained!

Pose: How can you angle your body to limit passing options as the 1st defender?

Perfect: The ideal: Two defenders work together to contain, always closing down space for the attacker.

1v2 Defending

Size: 20×30 yds

An attacker dribbles toward the goal looking to shoot, while two defenders work together to maintain a defensive structure:

  • The 1st defender pressures the ball
  • The 2nd defender covers the 1st defender and steps in to pressure or steal the ball if the 1st gets beat
  • The original 1st defender then drops to become the covering 2nd defender

Play resets if the ball goes out of bounds or there is a goal. Rotate:

  • Attacker → defending line
  • 1st defender → attacking line
  • 2nd defender → new 1st defender

Coaching Points

  • Defenders should close gaps quickly without over-committing
  • 1st defender pressures close enough to deny a pass into space
  • 1st defender angles body to channel the attacker towards teammate providing cover
  • 2nd defender provides cover close enough to step in quickly to win the ball and close down space, but also far enough away to anticipate the next pass
  • Defenders remain side-on, low, and balanced

*If you are able to run two fields at the same time to limit waiting that would be preferable

3P INTERVENTIONS

Praise: Brilliant — you pressured the ball quickly and contained!

Pose: How can you angle your body to limit passing options as the 1st defender?

Perfect: The ideal: Two defenders work together to contain, always closing down space for the attacker.

3v3

Size: 20×30 yds

Divide players into two teams, each with three lines on their end line. The first three players from each team play each round.

  • A ball is kicked across the field to start play
  • The defending team immediately applies pressure, with cover and balance from teammates as shown by the blue team in the diagram
  • Both teams attempt to score

Use proper FIFA rules for restarts.

Limit rounds to 1-2 minutes.

Switch which team starts with the ball after 7–8 minutes.

Coaching Points

  • Defenders should close gaps quickly without over-committing
  • 1st defender pressures close enough to deny a pass into space
  • 1st defender angles body to channel the attacker towards teammate providing cover
  • 2nd defender provides cover close enough to step in quickly to win the ball and close down space
  • Defenders communicate who presses and covers
  • Defenders remain side-on, low, and balanced
  • Defenders must remain compact to contain the ball
  • Attacking team must use space and movement to challenge the defense

3P INTERVENTIONS

Praise: Brilliant — you pressured the ball quickly and contained!

Pose: How can you angle your body to limit passing options as the 1st defender?

Perfect: The ideal: Defending team works together to contain, always closing down space for the attacker.

Scrimmage 5v5

Work on:

  • Throw-ins
  • Building out of the back (use the halfway line as the build-out line)
  • Positional relationships

Coaching Points:

  • Maintain proper pressure and cover
  • Clear defensive communication
  • Stay side-on, low, and balanced
  • Defenders close gaps together and remain compact
  • Attacking team must use space and movement to challenge the defense

3P INTERVENTIONS:

Praise: Brilliant — you pressured the ball quickly and contained!

Pose: How can you angle your body to limit passing options as the 1st defender?

Perfect: The ideal: Defending team works together to contain, always closing down space for the attacker.

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