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Defender – Get in front!
Deciding whether to intercept a pass requires splitsecond decision-making skills acquired through practice and experience. This session starts defenders on the path to learning this skill with this session, which works on marking from behind but stealing the ball from in front of the attacker.
What this session is about
Intercepting. Learning how to “read” the play – i.e. predict when and where the other team will pass the ball.
What to think about
- Ensure you are your own goal side when marking an opponent but in a position to see the passer and the ball.
- Stay within touching distance.
- Anticipate the pass. Does the passer’s eyes or head movement give away any clues as to the timing of the pass?
- Do not allow the opponent to “turn” past you if you can’t win the ball.
- Jockey the opponent if the ball can’t be won.
Set-up
| Warm up | Session | Development | Game Situation | Warm Down |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 10 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 10 minutes |
What you get your players to do
Play 2v2 on the outside of a 10-yard square. The two attackers, who are passive, must stay on their lines. One defender is behind each attacker who pass the ball back and forth to each other across the square. Defenders anticipate when the attacker at the opposite end will pass the ball to the attacker they are marking and try to intercept by stepping in front. Switch roles so everyone has a go at being a defender.
- To progress, remove restrictions on the attacker’s movement. The attacker can now receive the ball by moving towards the server then turning to dribble over the end line. The defender stays close enough to intercept. If they are unable or fail to intercept the ball they must try to tackle the attacker before they cross the line.
Development
Play 4v4 in a 25 yard square.
Play 2v2 in the middle with servers from each team on touchlines at opposite ends. To score a point, the team in possession passes the ball from the server at one end to the server at the other without losing possession or the ball going out of play. The defending team wins a point for an interception.
Set the team in possession a time limit (e.g. 10 seconds, but adjust up or down to suit age/ability) to reach the other side, otherwise they must hand over possession. If the ball goes out of play on the sidelines, the attacking team gets a “free” pass-in to restart play.
Related Files
Game situation
Play 5v5 plus goalkeepers on a 40x30-yard pitch. Play three in defence and two in attack. If a defender intercepts they can go forward into the other half and create a 3v3.
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