TOPIC / THEME: Defending

Defending crosses in a functional practice

DESCRIPTION OF PRACTICE:
Coaching in a functional practice
ORGANISATION Defending third Functional practice
Defenders start positions are in relation to the start position of the ball	9 yellows & 7 blues attacking the goal in final third on a full size pitch. Start position : An overlap on the right draws the full back to enable a cross to be delivered from a wide position level with the 18 yd box. The back four recovers to defend the cross. The two yellow strikers attack the cross along with one attacking central midfield player and one wide player on the opposite side. The second wide players wait till next turn. The blue strikers and yellow defenders near the half way line compete to be first to the clearances and knock downs

KEY OBSERVATION FACTORS:

Recovery lines ( angle and distance in relation to position of the ball , goal and keeper) Body position ( seeing the ball and the man, back to goal and open as soon as possible) Critical areas (Front of goal, middle and Far post area) Attacking the ball ( Focus on the ball, being first, strong and determined) Secondary possession ( knock downs, pressure on second ball, clearances and squeezing up)

NOTES:

The session is developed to preventing crosses. Coaching the full back to recover, defend better 2v1 and apply pressure to the ball and delay for cover. Blocking crosses (Technique). Progress to some free play by allowing defenders who win clearances to feed wide men for another cross. You could allow knock downs to be converted to shots and combination play on edge of box before progressing to a central functional practice or a Phase of play.

Practical Coaching

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