Session #14: Defending “Closing the Curtains”

pdf of Session #14: U13-U18 Train To Train / Train To Compete Session#14

PASSING AND RECEIVING IN PAIRS (15 mins)

Description:
Passing and Receiving Working Toward Defending REVIEW

Players asked to move around the area passing and moving with a partner and asked to think about the following
– Balanced firm passing. Shoulders back and hips forward. Step backwards after the pass with the kicking foot.
– Open up with every first touch
– Players look to get into positions where they break lines (red line – imaginary line between two defenders) when they receive a pass
– Two touches. Cannot play the same ball twice in a row. Play one then search for the other ball

DEFENDING
– After playing the pass, the passer should go close down the receiver of the pass.
– Defender should get around the ball, get feet turned and make contact.

HIT & SPLIT

1. From directly behind the ball player begins the hit and split by kicking the ball forward toward their partner.
2. End up in front of the ball with feet split and hips pointing at the target.
3. Let the bodies momentum move the ball … do not over-kick
4. Take a step off of the line and Hit & Split, end up beyond the ball with hips pointing at the target.

DENY PASS – DROP DOWN

In small area of 10v10 or less.
– Two players deny passes into a player in the opposite corner. The three players pass as often as possible until the opportunity to play into the corner arises. When a pass is played into the corner, the corner player immediately passes back to the players on the opposite corner (player 1)
– Defenders remain connected (close together) with one player eliminating one pass directing the pass in one direction. The second player must eliminate the pass to the corner player. As the ball travels they must reverse rolls but remain connected.

4v4 SHAPE DEFENDING

SET UP & FOCUS:
– USING MF DEFENDING TO TEACH PRINCIPLES.
– 4v4 in middle with 6 outside players. Players on the outside represent FBs on the sides (two touch) and two players on either end (one touch if possible) representing STRs/CBs.
– FBs can only play in the defending 1/2 of the field.
– Possession determined when ball goes to an end …. when ball goes to one end, those players are now the CBs and the team attempts to attack the other end (the other two STRs).

1. 1st Defender: Closest player close down (DENY a ball forward, DELAY their forward progress, DEFLECT them one side or the other.
2. 2nd Defenders: COVER first while keeping your player in vision (see ball and see player without turning head.
3. 3rd Defenders: BALANCE.

Team DROP DOWN and close the curtains.

FINAL GAME 6v6

Area: 30×25 or smaller

Open Game
– Closest Player Close Down
– Shape off of the first defender
– Adjust with every roll of the ball
– Deny ball forward and through…. if they are going to go forward then make them go around.