Written by Tanya Oxtoby
Defend The Penalty Box
Defending key areas during a game is vital to successful teams. The penalty area is central to this where poor defending will result in a goal
Coaching Objectives
Help your defenders to read the game and not let attackers dominate play in the penalty area when the ball is played in.
Drill Setup
- 20 Mins
- 10 Players
- 1 Goals
- 6 Bibs
- Penalty Box y
What the Players Do
You need to create three teams of three players with a goalkeeper in goal. Play a 3v3 inside the area with one team of three on the outside. The coach plays a ball into the attacking team in the 3v3…Playing Through Lines
This session will allow players to maintain possession and looked to play between the lines and face forward when appropriate, this is key when players are looking to move play forward.
Coaching Objectives
This session will allow players to control build up play, looking to find the spare player in an attacking overload. It will focus on the key technical and tactical components of trying to play through the lines. It will allow players the opportunity to make good decisions around when to maintain possession and went to exploit an attacking overload. The session will also encourage players to try and create an exploit space for themselves between opposition lines, and in behind defences.
Drill Setup
- 20 Mins
- 12 Players
- 2 Small Goals
- 7 Bibs
- 35x45 y
What the Players Do
The team in possession will start with the ball from a neutral player and look to keep possession in the first zone, trying to work the ball to one of the neutral players occupying the…Playing Forward Under Pressure
We want to encourage players to play forward when the opportunity presents itself, and support play as quickly as possible. In this activity players will have a chance maintain possession in tight areas, and play forward as soon as the time is right
Coaching Objectives
This drill will work on players ability to maintain possession under pressure, create supporting angles early, and play forward to the target player when the time is right and support the forward pass. The defenders will be looking at making play as predictable as possible and transition forward themselves when they win the ball.
Drill Setup
- 20 Mins
- 8 Players
- 4 target goals Goals
- 3 yellow 3 blue 2 red Bibs
- 30 x 30 y
Technique Tips
- Passing: Emphasize crisp, accurate passes with proper weight to ensure control and maintain possession.
- Movement:
- Encourage players to move into open spaces to create passing lanes.
- Stress supporting runs after playing into the target.
- Finishing: Focus on composure and technique for one-touch finishes.
- Defensive Positioning: Highlight the importance of cutting passing lanes and pressing intelligently.
What the Players Do
2 teams of 3 players (this can be varied depending on numbers) with a target player in the end zones for both teams. Practice starts always starts with the deepest target player who cant come out…Continue Reading For Free
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