
On the half-turn – small-sided game
Three-part session teaching players to receive on the half-turn and break defensive lines. By DAVID PONCIA MORE
This session is about defending counter attacks when the players are out of balance or disorganised
Counter attacks are one of the main attacking weapons in grassroots so it is vitally important your team can defend them
You need balls, bibs, cones and goals. Use the penalty area of your usual pitch. We used 10 players in the session.
In the first part of the session the first defender passes to an attacker, then moves into position to defend. Defender 2 cannot start his recovery run until the attacker has touched the ball.
The area lines are removed for the second part of the session which is similar to the first but we now have two defenders against three attackers. Defender 3 cannot start his recovery run until an attacker has touched the ball.
In each situation we are looking at the first defender’s angle and speed of approach, plus his decision-making skills – does he delay or challenge? Does he force play away from goal or towards the recovering defender? Defender 2 must recover to a defensive position as quickly as possible and decide whether to support defender 1 or challenge an attacker.