Jeff Pill's Practice Session
 on Small Group Defending

      Jeff began designing these drills when he was the Director of Coaching for the New Hampshire Soccer Association. He has his USSF "A" license and is a National Staff Coach with US Soccer.

Pressure

The Game

Groups of three, one ball per group. Player A rolls the ball (receiving ground balls) or tosses the ball (receiving air balls) to either player B or player C. In this example, player C must control the ball and get a completed pass to player B. While this is occuring, player A immediately challenges player C and tries to win the ball back. After successful pass, player C would then pick up the ball and repeat the activity as the defender. The defender is awarded a point for winning the ball back and gets to throw again.

Coaching Points

Small Game 20 - 25 Minutes. Activity level: Medium progression to high. Space: Defined space "smaller". 3 - 5 players per group.

Pressure / Cover Defending

The Game

Coaching Points

Defending principles of play

Four Goals - End Line

The Game

4 v. 4. Each team defends two goals and attacks two goals. Having the goals on the end lines makes this game more realistic as it forces the attacking team to have more of a direction to their attack.

Coaching Points

Defending principles

A good session for U-12 players and above.

Team Game:

30 Minutes plus. Activity level: High. Space: Defined for the game = larger space. 7 - 11 players per team.

Four Zones Game

The Game

A regular 11 v. 11 or 8 v. 8 scrimmage. Break the field into 4 horizontal zones. Award the defending team points when they win the ball back in a chosen zone. For example, the Blue team might be given 3 points for winning the ball back in the first zone, two points for the second zone, one point for the third zone and no points for the fourth zone. This can change depending on where the coach wants the team to try tp force the play

Coaching Points

Warm Down 5 - 10 Minutes. Activity level: Low ramping down. Space: General, No specific boundaries. 1 - 2 players per group.

Two Sided Goal Game

The Game

A 2 v. 2 game played to a two sided goal. Goals can be scored from either side. The game is a continuous flow game that is best played for 2 - 3 minutes.

Coaching Points

Created: 12/20/99
Last Updated: 03/26/07

Since February 24, 1999
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  Web Administrator    Ken Gamble