AGES 15 TO 16 - WEEK ELEVEN

Drill 1 - Defending 1 v 1

Warm Up:
Refer to the “Warm Up” section for a variety of fun warm up activities for your team. Use a combination of exercises “with” and “without” the ball. Relate the warm up to the skill of the day. Be creative, energetic, and make the warm-up a fun start to the
practice session.

Exercise Objectives:
This practice is designed to improve each player’s one on one defending skills.

Field Preparation
Area 10 x 20 yards
Small Groups
1 Ball
Cones or Flag poles

Coaching Pointers:
Two players are positioned on each side of a grid 10 yards x 20 yards. The player with the ball starts the practice by passing the ball to the first player at the opposite side of the grid. After passing the ball, the player immediately must defend the player receiving the ball. The player in possession must reach the opposite end line to score a point. The defender must win the ball to score a point. The next two players repeat the practice from the opposite side. The speed of the practice should be increased gradually.

The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:

Pass the ball firmly to the receiving player.
Gain as much ground as possible as the ball is traveling.
Slow down on the last 2 yards. Get low with knees bent.
Adopt a “side on” position.
Make the direction of the play predictable.
Timing of the tackle is important, wait for the forward to make their move.
Quality tackling is as much an attitude as it is technique.
Players must develop an aggressive and savvy attitude towards winning the ball.

Drill 2 - Defending 1 v 2

Exercise Objectives:
This practice is designed to improve each player’s one on two defending skills.

Field Preparation
Area 10 x 20 yards
Small Groups
1 Ball
Cones or Flag poles

Coaching Pointers:
A small group of players are positioned on each side of a grid 10 yards x 20 yards. The player with the ball starts the practice by passing the ball to the first two players at the opposite side of the grid. After passing the ball, the player immediately must defend against the two attackers. The attackers must reach the opposite end line to score a point. The defender must win the ball to score a point. Players repeat the practice from the opposite side.

The speed of the practice should be increased gradually.

The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:

Pass the ball firmly to the receiving player.
Gain as much ground as possible as the ball is traveling.
Keep both attackers in view at all times.
Slow down on the last 2 yards. Get low with knees bent.
Adopt a “side on” position.
Make the direction of the play predictable.
Timing of the tackle is important, wait for the forward to make his move.
Quality tackling is as much an attitude as it is technique.
Players must develop an aggressive and savvy attitude towards winning the ball.

Drill 3 - Defensive Positioning 2 V 2

Exercise Objectives:
This practice is designed to improve each player’s defensive positioning in a 2 v 2 situation.

Field Preparation
Area 20 x 20 yards
4 Players
1 Ball
Cones or Flag poles

Coaching Pointers:
Four players are positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. Players start the practice from the end line and work their up and down the grid. Alternating roles when they reach each end line. Two players are the attackers the other two defenders. There is no tackling involved in this practice, emphasis is strictly on defensive positioning. The attackers start the practice by slowing running with the ball towards the two defenders. The defenders must retreat and keep their correct defensive positions as the ball exchanged between the attackers. As the attackers travel down the grid they must pass the ball so the defenders must change their defensive roles.

The Pressurizing Defender (1st defender):

The nearest player to the ball is the pressurizing defender. They must keep a distance of approximately 1-2 yards from the attacker.

The Supporting Defender (2nd defender):

The supporting defender role is to add cover an balance to the defensive shape. Cover is important so they are in a position to add depth for the pressurizing player. For example in a game if the pressurizing defender is beaten then the covering player would be in a position to put pressure on the attacker or clean up and mistakes. Balance is important to prevent any through balls in behind the defense. By dropping off at an angle the defender encourage the player with the ball to make a pass in front on the defender and not behind.

The supporting player should be in a position to cover the pressurizing defender and mark their own player.

When both players reach the opposite end line they reverse roles and work their way back up the grid.

The speed of the practice should be increased gradually.

The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:

Players should adjust their defensive positioning quickly as the ball is exchanged between the attackers.
Players should adjust their position as the ball is traveling and be in a good balanced position when the attacker has the ball at their feet.
Communication is vital, especially from the covering defender as they can see the entire situation.
Bend the knees and keep the body low. (don't stand tall, stand small). This position enables the legs to be "spring loaded" to change direction quickly.
Leg position should be with one leg behind the other.
Pivot using the back foot when changing direction from side to side.
Keep the upper torso forward, this is crucial for changing direction from a backwards to forwards position quickly.

Drill 4 - Defense Building

Exercise Objectives:
This practice is designed to improve group defending in and around the penalty area.

Field Preparation
Half Field
Cones or Flag poles
Supply of Balls
Colored Bibs

Coaching Pointers:
Place a goalkeeper in goal. Divide your team in three groups. Identify each group with colored vests. One group will start as the defending team and be positioned in the penalty area. The other two groups are placed at the two wide goals. The practice starts with (group one) serving a ball to one of the defenders and receiving a return pass. Once the attackers receive the return pass the game is live. The object is for the attacking team to try and score and the defending team to win the ball. Once the defending team wins the ball, one defender must run forward with the ball to the opposite goal and score past a defender from (group 2).

If the defending team scores, they then become an attacking team and the team they won possession from becomes the defending team. If the attacking team scores, the defending team stays as the defenders. Alternate attacks from each side.
A goal is awarded each time the defenders successfully win possession and score in a wide goal. Keep score.

The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:

Close the ball down quickly after you have passed to the attackers.
Closest defender pressures the ball.
Force the attacker in possession to get their head down and deny penetration.
Supporting defenders add balance and cover.
Be patient, allow attackers to pass in front of you but not through you.
Constant communication from the deepest defender.
Keep the defensive shape compact.
Squeeze the attackers away from the goal.
Once possession is won, swap the ball quickly and attack wide goal.

Progression:

Once the defending team wins the ball, 2 or 3 defenders must run forward with the ball to the opposite goal and score past the defenders, making it a 2 v 1 or 3 v 2 situation.

Small-Sided Game (with goalkeepers)

Exercise Objectives:
Finish with small sided game 6 v 6, 7 v 7 (with Goalkeepers). The practice should be concluded with a small-sided game reinforcing the coaching points from your drills.

Field Preparation
Entire Group (split into two equal teams)
Area 40 x 60 yards
Use Small Goals, Cones or Flag poles
Supply of Balls
Colored Bibs

Coaching Pointers:

Divide the players into two equal teams with goalkeepers.
Each field should be approximately 40 yards x 60 yards.
Use corner flags or cones as goals.
Total time, 20-30 minutes.
At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice.

Record Score:

Team 1_________________ v Team 2 _________________

At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice.

Schedule

Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight
Week Nine
Week Ten
Week Eleven
Week Twelve

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