Team A
Team B
Goalkeeper
Joker (+1, always plays for the team with the ball)
Ball
Cone
Pass
Dribble
Run
Shot
Activity 1
Technical Warm-Up
Overload Build Up Defensive Pressure
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 30W x 30L. Place (1) goal on each end line. Organize 4v4 in each area. Start with 1v1 and progress to 4v4. A new player comes on the field after a goal, or ball out of bounds. 1v1 - 2v1 - 2v2 - 3v2 - 3v3 - 4v3 - 4v4. Red & white teams score by passing the ball into the goal.
Goal: Both teams try to score by passing the ball into the opponent's goal. The game begins 1v1 and a new player joins after each goal or when the ball goes out of bounds, progressively building to 4v4. A point is earned each time the ball enters a goal.
Coaching Points
- Application of defensive technique & pressure
- Who: Pressuring Defender (1st defender) - Angle, Speed and Distance of approach
- Tackle the ball on a poor touch, or delay the ball when opposition is in possession without support
- Who: Recovering defender
- Recovery run = Behind the ball, preferably behind pressuring defender
Activity 2
Small-Sided Activity
6v6 Big Goal and Small Goals
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L. Place (2) cones in each corner 3 yards wide making (2) goals above the mid-line. Place (1) goal on the opposite end line. Play 6v6 to goal. When red scores, White (server) immediately plays ball back into white team. Red defends, denies penetration, and delays while teammate recovers defensively. Red scores by dribbling through cone goals, white scores by passing/shooting the ball in the goal.
Goal: White tries to score on the large goal by passing or shooting. Red tries to deny white's penetration and delay the attack while teammates recover, then earns a point by dribbling through either of the 2 cone goals above the mid-line. When red scores, white receives an immediate restart from the server.
Coaching Points
- Who: The closest two players to the ball = pressuring (1st) & covering defenders (2nd)
- Direct pressure away from goal, or towards defenders (support/cover, balance)
- Tackle the ball on a poor touch, or delay the ball when opposition is in possession without support
- All other defenders recovery run = Behind the ball, preferably behind pressuring defender
Activity 3
Expanded Small-Sided Activity
7v7 Big Goals Defensive Shape
Setup: TRAINING AREA = 60W x 70L. Place (1) goal on each end for the teams to score on. Red & white score by passing/shooting the ball into the goal.
Goal: Red and white each try to score on their opponent's goal by passing or shooting the ball into it. Defensive emphasis is on the balance player maintaining proper position and recovering defenders getting behind the ball and, preferably, behind the pressuring defender.
Coaching Points
- Who: The balance player (furthest from the ball) & recovering defender
- What: As the furthest from the ball, the balancing player may need to shift forward and across to reduce penetration (runs, passes, dribble) through the center of the field
- Recovery run = Behind the ball, preferably behind pressuring defender
Activity 4
Game
Goal: Apply what you practiced today in a real game.
Play 9v9 game with specific formations for each team. Reinforce all points above GK-3-2-3