Principles of Defending is a session that goes from simple to more complex concepts based around the art of group defending. By changing the picture, putting the defensive group in different situations and constantly overloading them, your team will improve in their understanding of defensive principles exponentially.
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Principles of Defending
1.
Setup:
Defending a Lead 2 v 2/ 3 v 3- players split into 2 teams. Two mini goals on each side. 40 x 40 space with thirds split across horizontally. 3 mins games x 4 sets.
Instructions:
Play starts with ball being dribbled in by a red attacker. Each game starts with a 2 v 2 situation to goal. Once the ball goes out of play, a new 2 v 2 game starts going in the same direction with 4 new players. Rotate attacking and defensive team each set.
Progression: At any point, the red team can pass backwards to create a 3 v 3 or a 4 v 4. At that point, the defensive team can bring the same number of players out to defend (3 v 3/ 4 v 4). 2 point for scoring in a 2 v 2, 3 points for a 3 v 3, 4 points for a 4 v 4.
Coaching Points:
- Pressure, cover, balance- ensure the pressuring defender gets there quickly and makes play predictable, covering defender drops at a slight angle
- Compactness (horizontal)- ensure that the 2/ 3 players maintain a distance of 5-7 yards maximum
2.
Setup:
18 players total with 4 players in each vertical zone and 1 extra player in each end zone. 30 yds x 40 yards with a 5 yard end zone on each end. Field split vertically into 4 zones with mini goals on each end. 2 minute sets x 6 sets.
Instructions:
Ball comes in from a coach. The team in possession move the ball quickly to create opportunities to break the lines and find their teammates in the other zone. Once ball is received in the other zone, players try to break down the last line of defense with a through ball into the final end zone player. At this point, the last line can recover to stop the final player from scoring in the mini goals. If the defensive team wins the ball or kicks the ball out of bounds, they will receive the next ball in from the coach.
Coaching Points:
- Pressure, cover, balance- ensure the pressuring defender gets there quickly and makes play predictable, covering defender drops at a slight angle
- Compactness (horizontal)- ensure that the 2/ 3 players maintain a distance of 5-7 yards maximum
- Screening- understanding and ability to read the passer and intercept the ball from being played through the spaces
3.
Setup:
18 players total with 4 players from each team in each half. 30 yds x 40 yards. Field split vertically into 2 halves with big goals and GK’s on each end. 5 minute sets x 3 sets.
Instructions:
The team in possession start with a ball from their GK who try to break the first line into the attacking half. Once in the attacking half, the attacking team attack 4 v 4 to the big goal. If defensive team wins the ball, they play to the opposite side to the opposition goal.
Coaching Points:
- Pressure, cover, balance- ensure the pressuring defender gets there quickly and makes play predictable, covering defender drops at a slight angle
- Compactness (horizontal)- ensure that the 2/ 3 players maintain a distance of 5-7 yards maximum
- Screening- understanding and ability to read the passer and intercept the ball from being played through the spaces
- Blocking shots- when in the defensive half, defenders will need to get much tighter to their marks to stop shots from coming in from attackers
4.
Setup:
11 v 9 (8+ GK) Overload game- full field game. 10 minute game x 3 sets.
Instructions:
Two teams set up on a field. Situational game with red team defending in 2 lines of 4 (8) with the black team attacking in a 4-3-3. Red team is up 1-0 and defending a lead, black team is losing 1-0.
Switch defending team each set.
Coaching Points:
- Defensive team- manage the time. Defend deep to counter, but not too deep!! Line of confrontation and line of restraint
- Defend the goal principles- protect central areas, defend crosses, step the defensive line up