17 TO ADULTS - WEEK EIGHT

Drill 1 - Defensive Footwork Warm Up

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 drill is a good introduction to a session on defending. It can be incorporated in your warm up. The drill places an emphasis on defensive footwork and body stance.

Field Preparation
Area 20 x 20 yards
Cones or Flag poles

Coaching Pointers:
The entire group are positioned on the end line of a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. The coach dictates the direction that the players move by shouting out commands.

When the coach shouts;
" Delay" all the players must retreat backwards.
" Pressure" all the players must move forward.
" Right" all the players must move to the right.
" Left" all the players must move to the left.

The speed of the practice should be increased gradually.

The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:

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 2 - Defending 1 v 1

Exercise Objectives:
This practice is designed to improve each player’s defensive footwork and body stance.

Field Preparation
Area 10 x 20 yards
2 Players
1 Ball
Cones or Flag poles

Coaching Pointers:
Two players are positioned in a grid 10 yards x 20 yards. Both players start the practice from the end line and work their up and down the grid. Alternating roles when they reach each end line. One player is an attacker the other a defender. There is no tackling involved in this practice, emphasis is strictly on footwork and body stance. The attacker starts the practice by slowing running with the ball towards the defender. The defender must retreat and keep a distance of approximately 1-2 yards from the attacker. As the attacker travels down the grid they must move the ball from left to right, right to left so the defender must change their body position.

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:

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 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 the distance and balance of the back four defenders.

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

Coaching Pointers:
This practice is designed to improve the performance level of the back four defenders and goalkeeper while under pressure from the opponents attackers. Specifically, the practice is designed to improve each players passing and decision making under pressure when building from the back.

Place a goalkeeper in goal. Position four defenders across the width of the field at the edge of the penalty area. Place four groups of players at the half way line as in the diagram above. The practice starts with one of the attackers on the left side passing the ball to the right back. After passing the ball, two attackers from the left side pressurize and attempt to with the ball.

The object is for the defenders to keep quality possession of the ball when under pressure and try to pass the ball to one of the four players on the half way line. The defenders must achieve four passes before they are allowed to play forward to the target players on the half way line. The defenders can use the goalkeeper whenever necessary.

Once the player play is completed, the practice is then repeated from the right side and the ball is played into the left back.

A point is awarded each time the defenders successfully pass the ball to one of the four target players.

The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:

Play firm accurate passes to the players feet.
Drive the ball with pace across the field when switching over long distance.
Move quickly after you have made the pass.
When controlling the ball, use your first touch to redirect the ball in the direction you want to pass.
One of the central defenders should look to receive the ball in advance of the two pressuring attackers.
Use the goalkeeper as a "release valve" when under pressure.
Play with width and stretch the two attackers apart.
Make them cover as much ground as possible to pressure the ball.
Switch the point of attack to the opposite side of the field as quickly as possible.

Progression:

Use 3 pressurizing attackers.
Restrict defenders to 2 touch.

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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