Dynamic defending - League Athletics
W E E K LY
Dynamic defending
PAR T
Und
player movement A quick transition from defending toplayer attacking canpass movement run with ball run with ball catch out your opponents.
er-1
pass
player movement run with ball Counter-attacking can reap tremendous rewards on matchday, particularly if your team can move the ball up the field with pace and purpose. The activities in Part 2 follow on from basic defending 1 2 3 1 defenders 2 covered in Part 1, and require players to understand the concepts of 3 defenders pressure and cover. 1
TWO
0s
pass
Dynamic defending
How to set it up:
defenders
1
2
The attacker receives from the defender’s pass and a 1v1 scenario develops
3
•
Place three pairs and a keeper in a 30x20-yard area, with a large goal at one end and a small goal at the other. • Defenders line up behind the large goal.
Getting Started: • •
A defender passes to an attacker. The attacker receives and immediately attacks the large goal in a 1v1. • The defender tries to protect his goal. • If he wins possession, or the keeper makes a save, a counterattack can develop into the small goal. • If the ball goes out of play or a goal is scored, the next pair starts. Players switch roles after three minutes, and play for 12 minutes in total.
Key coaching points:
1
1
2
2 attackers
attackers 1
•
In the progression, the attacker is served the ball by a team mate, with his back to goal in the centre of the area. The defender is 2-3 yards away and must wait for the attacker to receive the ball. The attacker turns and shoots at goal. • The defender must pressure without being turned by a quick move. • Progress further to 2v2. Now, defenders can apply pressure as soon as the pass is made, with the first being the one to close down the man and the second covering. • Move to 3v3 and alternate which attacker gets the first serve. Widen the area to 30x30 yards if necessary.
2
3
attackers
2
2
attacker 1
3
About the authors DAVID NEWBERY: For over 20 years David has studied and worked in youth education, soccer development and coaching. A former University Professor and CEO of a Youth Sports Company, he is the Director of Player & Coach Development of SoccerPlus. TONY DICICCO: Tony is the most successful coach in USA Soccer history, most notably leading the USA Women’s national team to 1996 Olympic, plus 1999 and 2008 World Cup success. He is the Head Coach of the Boston Breakers professional women’s team. For more information, visit – www.soccerplus.org/services or contact David Newbery, [email protected]
defenders
defenders 2
3
attackers
attackers
3
Why this works: These activities help players realise that an outcome of defending well is creating counter-attacks and exposing defensive frailties of opponents. Adding goals for both teams increases competitiveness and gives defenders the incentive of turning defence into attack quickly.
3
Next, the attacker defenders receives a pass. Once defender 1 he has controlled defender 1 the ball, defender 1 attacker 1 the defender attacker 1 can press, to prevent 2 3 a turn into attackers space 2 2 3 3 2
As before, defenders must adopt a staggered position with eyes only on the ball. They must wait for the opportunity and force a mistake, tackling when the ball leaves the attacker’s foot. When a turnover happens, players must counter at pace.
Developing the session:
3
3
defender 2
defender 2
defender 1
defender 2
defender 1
defender 1
defender 3
attacker 3
attacker 2 attacker 2
In the 3v3 game, can attackers find a way past the defender 3 defensive unit? defender 3
attacker 1
attacker 3
attacker 1 3 attacker
attacker 2 attacker 1
player movement run with ball
pass
Soccer Coach Weekly 2
Dynamic defending
PAR T
Und
player movement A quick transition from defending toplayer attacking canpass movement run with ball run with ball catch out your opponents.
er-1
pass
player movement run with ball Counter-attacking can reap tremendous rewards on matchday, particularly if your team can move the ball up the field with pace and purpose. The activities in Part 2 follow on from basic defending 1 2 3 1 defenders 2 covered in Part 1, and require players to understand the concepts of 3 defenders pressure and cover. 1
TWO
0s
pass
Dynamic defending
How to set it up:
defenders
1
2
The attacker receives from the defender’s pass and a 1v1 scenario develops
3
•
Place three pairs and a keeper in a 30x20-yard area, with a large goal at one end and a small goal at the other. • Defenders line up behind the large goal.
Getting Started: • •
A defender passes to an attacker. The attacker receives and immediately attacks the large goal in a 1v1. • The defender tries to protect his goal. • If he wins possession, or the keeper makes a save, a counterattack can develop into the small goal. • If the ball goes out of play or a goal is scored, the next pair starts. Players switch roles after three minutes, and play for 12 minutes in total.
Key coaching points:
1
1
2
2 attackers
attackers 1
•
In the progression, the attacker is served the ball by a team mate, with his back to goal in the centre of the area. The defender is 2-3 yards away and must wait for the attacker to receive the ball. The attacker turns and shoots at goal. • The defender must pressure without being turned by a quick move. • Progress further to 2v2. Now, defenders can apply pressure as soon as the pass is made, with the first being the one to close down the man and the second covering. • Move to 3v3 and alternate which attacker gets the first serve. Widen the area to 30x30 yards if necessary.
2
3
attackers
2
2
attacker 1
3
About the authors DAVID NEWBERY: For over 20 years David has studied and worked in youth education, soccer development and coaching. A former University Professor and CEO of a Youth Sports Company, he is the Director of Player & Coach Development of SoccerPlus. TONY DICICCO: Tony is the most successful coach in USA Soccer history, most notably leading the USA Women’s national team to 1996 Olympic, plus 1999 and 2008 World Cup success. He is the Head Coach of the Boston Breakers professional women’s team. For more information, visit – www.soccerplus.org/services or contact David Newbery, [email protected]
defenders
defenders 2
3
attackers
attackers
3
Why this works: These activities help players realise that an outcome of defending well is creating counter-attacks and exposing defensive frailties of opponents. Adding goals for both teams increases competitiveness and gives defenders the incentive of turning defence into attack quickly.
3
Next, the attacker defenders receives a pass. Once defender 1 he has controlled defender 1 the ball, defender 1 attacker 1 the defender attacker 1 can press, to prevent 2 3 a turn into attackers space 2 2 3 3 2
As before, defenders must adopt a staggered position with eyes only on the ball. They must wait for the opportunity and force a mistake, tackling when the ball leaves the attacker’s foot. When a turnover happens, players must counter at pace.
Developing the session:
3
3
defender 2
defender 2
defender 1
defender 2
defender 1
defender 1
defender 3
attacker 3
attacker 2 attacker 2
In the 3v3 game, can attackers find a way past the defender 3 defensive unit? defender 3
attacker 1
attacker 3
attacker 1 3 attacker
attacker 2 attacker 1
player movement run with ball
pass
Soccer Coach Weekly 2
