IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
CARDIFF CITY Dave Jones
Defending is a skill that needs practice, as much as dribbling or passing. Within that, it’s vital that players win their 1v1 duels, particularly in and around the penalty box.
When we look back over matches where the team has emerged victorious, we’ll often find that our defenders have performed the defending principles well. We believe that, despite all the other scenarios played out on the pitch, the core defensive elements are key.
This session provides a straightforward yet vital method of ensuring that those key parts are per- formed well.
Penalty box battles Overview:
PENALTY BOX BATTLES
SETUP AREA
Penalty box, plus a marked area three yards in from each side of the box extended to 10 yards outside (i.e. 32x28 yards) EQUIPMENT
Balls NUMBER OF PLAYERS
11 (5 defenders, 5 attackers, 1 goalkeeper)
KEY
Ball movement
What do I get the players to do?
Line up a row each of attackers and defenders on the right-hand side of the penalty box. Invite one defender and one attacker to take up a position in the middle. Another attacker moves to the edge of the larger marked out area where he will receive the ball from a team-mate in the row. He passes in to his fellow forward, who must control the pass and get a shot away.
The defender must be in a position where he can see the ball, and quick decision making is paramount – can he intercept it? If not, can he stop the attacker turning?
“We believe that, despite all the other scenarios played out on the pitch, the core defensive elements are key.”
If the attacker does turn, the defender needs to adjust quickly in order to block the shot. Offsides apply, and always rotate players after a shot or clearance.
How doI progress the session?
We will switch play to the left-hand side of the penalty box. We’ll
56 Elite Soccer: The Collectors’ Series Volume 1
Player movement
Dribble
The ball is fed into the lead attacker
1
2 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
He swivels past the defender and shoots
3 KEY
Ball movement
Player movement
Dribble
In a 2v2 scenario, both teams must stay organised
www.elitesoccercoaching.net
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93