
Pressed into action – practice
in Defending
Apply pressure, regain possession and then use the ball in this three-part session. By MICHAEL PHILP MORE
Position the keeper in the large goal, and other keepers in the mini goals if you have spare players.
You serve the ball to the team attacking the large goal. If they fail to score the keeper links with the defenders to counter attack the mini goals.
The team defending the large goal will try to defend to the outside away from the centre, and the team defending the mini goals will defend towards the centre.
Mix up the teams every 15 minutes.
Teaches understanding about defending to the inside or the outside and why.
Speed and angle of approach of the first defender, angle and distance of support of the second defender, cover and communication by the third defender. Covers balance and
recovery runs of any others, so this is a more advanced version of Pin It Down.
Area: 50×70 yards pitch (wider rather than longer)
Players: 12 plus keeper
Equipment: One central goal, two mini goals as wide as possible on the end line
The ball is played to the team attacking the large goal.
Encourage building from the back with defenders linking with the midfield.
When attacking, teams should be forced wide, away from goal.
“Show inside, show outside”
“Support”
Prioritise the team that is protecting the main goal.