Role of the defenders

A session on the role of the first second and third defenders roles

Purpose:	By the end of this session players should be aware of how to defend zonally within a system of play. The first defender will learn how to force a run to take away opponents options while at the same time staying involved in the play by not over committing to the ball. The rest of the players will learn how to adjust their position and body to compensate for the forced run the first defender makes. As this progresses players will learn the smaller nuancies of team defense such as nonverbal and verbal cues, when to double team, when to delay and how to force an opponent where you want them to go.
Equipment:	Cones, pinnies, balls.
Progression:	Unrestricted: warm up with partners learning how to make a curved run, how to pressure the ball at the appropriate pace, how to set feet as to not be vulnerable to being beat and how to delay and tackle Restricted: add in pressure and make the setting a little more realistic by making the defender make a choice and a speed closer to game speed. Do I delay? Tackle? Force a player left or right? Where do I position myself as a second defender? Third defender? One goal with counters: this becomes 2v2 in a small grid. The attacker are trying to score but the emphasis is on the defense and working together as a unit in groups of two, shifting and sliding as the ball moves. Working together makes it far more difficult for the opponent to score as he must beat two players not only one. Emphasis once the ball is won, then goes into the counterattack. Two goals: progress to full games of 4v4 with the four players defending working as a unit zonally to force the ball one direction and to work as a unit to win the ball and repossess.
Coaching Points:	1st defender Make a forced curved run Sit down when you get near the ball (about three yards)- Do not lunge at the ball. Have good balance Be ready to tackle right after the opponent makes a touch. (his foot is away from the ball) 2nd defender Give cover to the 1st defender – be in the right position and the right distance Communicate with the 1st defender on direction to force as well as “double” 3rd defender Balance the 1st and 2nd defenders forming a straight line. Be steeper or narrower based on how much pressure you want to put on the opponent Be able to see the ball and see the man you are marking: “ see the ball, see the man” Take away the thru balls Take away the runners/2nd runners behind the defense.

THE SESSION

Activity	Setup
Passing and defending Partners of same size lock arms. 1, 2,3 touches on ball at same time, then a big swing. Hit at same time so the ball does not move This is to learn proper tackling technique. Coaching Points: Work on role of 1st defender, get in fast, sit down, side on, curved runs. Partners go at each other, one with ball, one with out, come in fast, then side on, curved run, and sit down. As direction changes look for goal and cover defender.

	If ball is on left foot of attacker(our right), we should have our left foot back to tackle properly.

2 v 2 in a 10x10 Players are put in groups of four. Players stand on the cones of a 10x10 Blue plays in to the red attackers who are trying to score by dribbling past the line by beating blue.. Roles then reverse. Red passes to blue and blue attacks. Start passive, progress to active defense. If defense wins, counterattack to other side. Coaching Points: The closest defender should be pressure. The 2nd defender is cover. Runs should be bent, sit down, and take away options of other targets. Get in and under shoulder when you tackle, its never seen by the official. Cover defender – as ball switches, spin into defender to eliminate the blindside run. Cover defender – as ball switches, spin into defender to eliminate the blindside run. Look for cover defender when attacher changes direction

2 v. 2 in 20 x 10 Two attackers (red) on cones. Two defenders (blue )behind each other. Defenders knock the ball in, then play defense Attackers try to dribble past the endlines for a point. Defenders counter to small goal Coaching Points: Two defenders are pressure, cover. First defender, get in hard and fast with curved run, close ground 2nd comes in slower as cover at roughly 3yds and 45 If pressure wins and knocks away, cover should clean it up and go to goal. Eliminate passing lanes. If D wins play to other lines.

4v4 in a 40x30 to small goals Play to small goals, keep score. One defender always has to be keeper. Ball must go thru keeper before attacking. Keeper pushing up playing keeper/sweeper helps attacking team and kills attacking space. 1st defender dictates play of others by direction he forces the ball. Coaching Points Get in fast but under control Make a forced curved run dictating play Keep your weight on your toes Communicate with your teammate 2nd defender be in good cover 3rd defender balance the team keeping thru balls and watching for runners. COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, CUMMUNICATE.	Shown above: Red has the ball and blue is in good pressure, cover, balance position.