Defending 1v1
This practice improves your player’s ability to defend 1v1 by taking a good starting position and dictating the direction of play. MORE
Defending in twos
This session looks at two defenders working together to stop attackers. The session tests their ability to communicate and support when attackers are running towards goal, and when they receive the ball with their backs to goal. MORE
Hunters
Regaining possession of the ball can be done by defending in small groups. The main emphasis of this session is to get your players working hard to pressure the opposition and force mistakes so it loses the ball. MORE
Non-stop defending
These intensive practices will instill good principles when it comes to all aspects of defending. MORE
Force field
When the opposition is in possession of the ball, a defensive strategy your team can employ is to force them into areas of the pitch that don’t pose a threat to your goal. MORE
Lost the ball? Win it back!
Anyone who watched the World Cup saw teams pressing opponents intensely to try and win back possession as quickly as possible. This session teaches your players this effective method of defending. MORE
High pressure
This session aims to improve your team’s ability to pressure opponents by using the forwards as the first line of defence. MORE
Channel defence
In wide situations, if the defender quickly closes the space, the attacker’s options are limited, giving the defender the advantage. MORE
1v1 gauntlet
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Improve your players’ ability to attack and defend in 1v1 situations. MORE
Running with the ball
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
This session is designed to improve your players’ technique when running with the ball in wide areas. MORE
Combination challenge
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
This concentrated session really tests your players’ passing, receiving, awareness and movement off the ball. MORE
Back foot driver
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
This session is designed to improve your players’ ability to receive passes on the back foot. The term “back foot” is used to describe the foot farthest away from the nearest opponent. Once receiving the ball, players are encouraged to drive forward with the ball and attack. MORE
Clean control and then release
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
A player’s first touch is about much more than just bringing the ball under control – it is also about setting the ball up in order to execute the next skill – whether that is a smart pass out of defence or a thunderbolt strike at goal. MORE
Close contact
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Improve your players’ mastery of the ball by working on their ability to keep it under close control while moving forward. MORE
Before you receive
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
There’s a lot more involved in receiving the ball than just controlling a pass from a team mate – as your players will discover in this session. MORE
Basic running with the ball
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
This will teach your players how to travel longer distances quickly while maintaining possession of the ball. MORE
Controlled headers and volleys
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Teach players how to perform a controlled and accurate header or volley over a short distance – for example, when passing an aerial or bouncing ball to a team-mate – with this session. MORE
The shield
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
This session is crucial to develop a competitive edge in your players. Learning how to challenge for the ball and shield it from an opponent is a vital part of a player’s development as it has big relevance in real games. MORE
Coping with pressure
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Players can find the game mentally tiring and it is important they retain their composure. This session will help them pass and receive the ball when the opposition puts them under intense pressure. MORE
A touch of class
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Good players understand that a positive first touch will do more than just bring the ball under control – it will also move it into space. This creates more time for them to make their next decision so it is an important skill to master. MORE
Strength in shielding
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Keeping hold of the ball while under pressure from a defender is one of the most important skills your players can have. Knowing they can shield it from danger means they won’t lose possession and it will give them the confidence and time to execute other skills. MORE
Long distance dribbling
in Ball Control and Footwork, Practice plans
Running with the ball is the technique players can use when there’s open grass in front of them and they want to exploit that space. Modern exponents of the art include Wales winger Gareth Bale. MORE
Gate game
in Practice plans, Soccer dribbling drills
This simple set-up is extremely versatile, allowing players to practice passing, dribbling and turning technique. MORE
Squeeze and stretch
in Practice plans, Soccer tackling drills
Defenders often squeeze high up the pitch when their team is attacking. If your players can stop an attack, they have the opportunity to capitalise on the space behind the opposition defence. The key is in the quality of the forward pass and movement from your attackers to break the offside trap. MORE
