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
Turning up for training in the off-season needs some thought as you don't want to waste the time you have with your players. Think about some questions or some ideas you will be wanting to cover in the weeks before the season kicks off MORE
When players are getting back into the game after a summer break it is challenges to the brain that is essential along with the physical needs of individual players.
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Coaches and players alike will be planning for pre-season over the summer months – it is good practice to prepare yourself and your players for the physical push towards the new season. MORE
Using questions and giving challenges is an important part of your coaching style and can have an impact on player learning and understanding of your coaching sessions. When you use questions make sure you don’t immediately tell the answer or if it is a question to the group don’t always pick the player who puts... MORE
In the quiet times between seasons I get my players together once a week and we play different small-sided games to keep the players up to speed with their skills. It leads nicely into pre-season training. MORE
