Support the defender - practice 1 - Soccer Drills

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Three-part session on defensive judgement, support, and confidence to retain the ball. By STEPH FAIRBAIRN

WHY USE IT

This practice sees players work on 1v1 defending and attacking, before defensive support is introduced.

SET UP

Set up an end zone at each side of the area. Split the group in two and line them up facing each other. Give all players on one side a ball.

HOW TO PLAY

Attackers dribble towards their opposite defender, attempting to beat them, and cross the line to win a point. If the defender wins the ball, they can counter to dribble across the opposite line to win a point. Progress so if a players scores or concedes a point, they leave their ball and support a team-mate to make a 2v2. Coaches can also remove some balls, with some players becoming floating. They are advised to move around the area until they spot an opportunity to support an attacker or defender. This will result in numerous 1v1s, 2v1s and 2v2s.

COACHING POINTS

Defenders:

Watch the ball, not feet

Time your challenge

Try to win and keep the ball

Attackers:

Use speed, disguise and changes in direction

Be brave

Both:

Identify when to support

Offer angles of support

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Steph Fairbairn

Editor-in-chief of Green Star Media's soccer titles. Lead coach at London-based Girls United, where she manages the U16s league team.

Soccer Drills

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Coaches Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."