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Issue 02December 2011

Grassroots

As a theme for delivery, defending is sometimes overlooked by coaches. For those that do brave the subject, sessions are sometimes delivered in a sterile, unrealistic and overly-organised fashion with defenders positioned perfectly and favoured numerically.

The sessions outlined here seek to provide a four session programme (or longer – depending upon duration of sessions and progress made with your players) covering a variety of situations that defenders face in the game. The sessions encourage repetition of scenarios and can be used to support players of different ages and abilities, equipping them for defending. The sessions provide situations where players can practice defending as an individual, as part of a unit and as part of a team.

The following situations are covered:

1. Defending against an opponent who is receiving the ball

2. Defending an opponent who is running at you

3. Defending when in balance including sliding and screening

4. Defending when out of balance/disorganised

5. Defenders making recovery runs

6. The transition from defending to attacking

7. Goalkeepers role in defending the goal

In keeping with The FA’s coach education programme, Session 1 defending when organised, is an example of how a session may be operated as part of an FA Level 2 themed session, progressing ‘up the steps’ from technique (unopposed) to skill (opposed) into a game related practice.

Session 2 and 3 are examples of sessions - repetition circuits and half pitch practices - that may be experienced within an FA Youth Award Module 2 course.

Session 4 is an example of a session from the new UEFA B course moving from a skills practice into an 8 versus 8 small-sided game.

FA Regional Coach Development Manager, Ben Bartlett, outlines a series of progressive practices to help develop defending skills

Ben Bartlett

Ben Bartlett is Regional Coach Development Manager for the East.

Ben combines this role with coaching an U14 group at Aldershot Town Elite and The FA U15 Female Elite Performance Centre.

Ben’s previous roles include Technical Director for Women’s and Girls’ football at Chelsea FC and 9 years in a range of coaching and development roles at Colchester United FC

54 | 55

Getting started

• 2 teams of 4 + 2 GK’s

• 3 balls placed at various places on each pitch. Each ball designated a number 1, 2 and 3. GK calls a number and the two defenders react to ‘defend’ that ball. As they position themselves – GK calls next ball.

• Three calls per pair – then the defenders change.

Getting started

• Two blues play across and play into attackers who seek to attack and score in the goal.

• At conclusion attackers become servers and vice versa.

• If defender / goalkeeper re-gains possesion, they attempt to play into red target player, who gives the ball to blues and repeat. Swap target defenders for defenders.

PART 1: Technique Practice

PART 2: Skill Practice

Pitch 2

Session 1: Defending – When Organised

Getting started

• 2 teams of 4 + 2 GK’s

• GK starts practice

Coaching points

• Deny space (starting position, line of approach, press? not press?)

• Decision (Steal, spoil, prevent turning)

• Support/Cover (angles, distances)

• Mark players/Cover space

PART 3: Game Related Practice

KEY

Players

Target player

Goalkeeper

Path of player

Path of ball

56 | 57

Getting started

• Pitch 1 – Blue server plays in to blues who attack to score past GK

• If Red’s regain, score by playing into the blue server who then dribbles onto pitch to make a 3 vs. 2

• Pitch 2 – Blue dribbles ball onto pitch to make 2 vs. 2. As blue enters the pitch, red at the back of the servers box recovers onto pitch. Red’s score by regaining and dribbling into servers box.

Getting started

• Pitch 1 - Server plays into attacker who attempts to beat red and score in goal – server becomes attacker and attacker retrieves their ball and joins end of other pitch.

• Pitch 2 – Blue attacker runs ball onto pitch – defender deals with the attacker running at them – attacker retrieves ball and joins end of other pitch

• On pitch 1 - If attacker scores without using support players (yellows), 3 goals are scored. If attacker uses support to score, 1 goal is scored.

Session 2: Defending – Variety of Situations

PART 1: Individual Defending - Repetition Circuit

PART 2: Defending in Two’s

Pitch 1

Pitch 2

Pitch 1

Pitch 2

Getting started

• Four vs. three + GK in defensive third of the pitch & 3 vs. 2 in midfield

• Red’s trying to defend goal . If they do regain possession, break into middle area and score into goal

• Try to keep at least one player in midfield area

• Encourage general flow of game to allow realistic situations to occur

PART 3: Back Four

Pitch 2

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Getting started

• Two practices running at the same time. GK + 3 defenders vs. 4 attackers on each pitch. Teams defending the goal start with the ball and work ball out to target player in central zone.

• Target player can either pass onto pitch and join in or run onto pitch. Attacking team seek to score within 5 passes

Getting started

• Game – 8 vs. 8, encourage free flow to allow realism in outnumbered situations

• Team in possession attempts to work ball into central channel. Central channel player runs or passes ball into opposition half and joins in – opposing central channel player makes recovery run. Upon regain of possession – one player from each team recovers into middle area Coaching points

• Deny – regain from poor touch/pass – don’t track poor runs (offside)

• Delay – drop & narrow

• Deflect – prioritise risk allow play into less dangerous areas (wide)

• Defend – area of zero tolerance – commit to prevent shots/block

Session 3:Defending Outnumbered – Skills Practice into 8 vs. 8

PART 1: Skills Practice

PART 2: 8v8

Getting started

• 8 vs. 8 – defending team playing 3-3-1 (+GK). Attacking team playing 3-2-2

• 1st line of pressure at halfway line

Coaching points

• Line of pressure

• If we can’t pressure?

• Directing play

• Marking positions & distances

• Movement in relation to ball

• Preventing penetrative passes

• Securing space ahead of & behind back line

Getting started

• Two pitches playing Skill practice concurrently. 3 vs. 3 with GK starting practice. Defending team on each pitch seek to prevent attacking team working ball to target player in central channel

• If defenders win ball – try to score in goal

PART 1: Skill Practice

PART 2: 8v8

Session 4:Sliding and screening - Defending as a team

Pitch 1

Pitch 2

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