Organising your players at the back is vital to the ability of your team to compete in matches. Your defenders must be able to react to the play in front of them and move accordingly. Whatever defensive formation you set up, your players will need to be able to recover to deal with the different situations on the pitch
How to defend overloads as an individual andScreen positions show how a pivot player sits in the screen position, which shields the defence. The beauty of the session is the simple way a young player can learn the role, and it has a great graphic that will help your players understand.
Now focus on the art of centre-backs in your defence. How to defend at corners and Team shape via central defenderstake the defenders into situations that require them to concentrate on maintaining their positions. The defending a corner session should be a blueprint for defending any set pieces in and around the area.
Finally, a good way of getting players to recognise their responsibilities within the defensive structure is to get them out of position then with something like a counter attack see if they know where to get back to in order to defend their goal. Position decisions is one of my favourite sessions for this.
This session looks at the roles of defenders and the goalkeeper in corner kick situations. It’s vital that, when setting up to defend a corner, each man knows his exact task, working as an individual and as part of a bigger unit within the penalty area. MORE
This session will get young centre-backs surging out of defence with the ball to set up attacks – this gives your attacking players chance to get into goal scoring positions in the final third MORE
If your team is getting caught out by counter attacks, balls over the top or a team that dominates with through passes, a sweeper can be a godsend MORE
If your opponents boast a player capable of winning the game with a moment of solo genius, then use this activity to coach your team to contain this special threat MORE
Great strikers can score goals with both of their feet, so try to get your players using their weaker foot close to goal so they’re not twisting their bodies into unusual shapes to try and get their foot in the right position to score.
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By pitting individual defenders against two attackers, this session teaches a lone defender to be patient and delay play until he either wins the ball or his team-mate recovers to assist. MORE
Every age group in youth soccer will, at one time or another, use twin strikers as their attacking threat. From 4v4 right up to 11v11 pairs of strikers work very well. Here are my sessions to help you coach two strikers with your team. MORE
To dominate the centre of the park you need players who can drive through midfield with excellent close control and balance, get into advanced positions and link with strikers to create goalscoring opportunities. MORE
