Tewksbury Soccer Club Register

U8 4V4 Defending

Week 7 · Session goal

Prevent build up in the opponent's half

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MomentDefending
Duration60 minutes
Players8-12
Format4V4

Player actions

Protect the goal, Steal the ball

Key qualities

Read and understand the game, Focus

Skill acquisition

Pressure: Angle and Speed of approach, Distance, Body position, Tackle choice (poke or block) - Cover: Distance, body position.

The session

1

Play phase

Intentional Free Play

20 min3 intervals · 4 min play · 1 min rest

Objective

To protect your goal &, if possible, steal the ball back

Player actions

Protect the goal, Steal the ball

Organization

Divide your (25W x 35L) game field into two 15W x 25L fields with a small goal on each end line. When practice is ready to start & as soon as 2 players arrive, start playing a game. The game can start as 1v1. As players arrive, the game becomes 2v1 then 2v2 up to 3v3.

Key wordsBlock your goalGet back

Guided questions

What should you do if you see your goal is not protected?

Move your body so it is between the ball and your goal.

Where should you go if you see the opponent with the ball is closer to your goal than you are?

Get back so yo u are closer to the goal and steal the ball if you can.

Coach note

All comments should be directed at the team without the ball. Help them recognize the moments they need to get back to protect their goal and when to step to the ball to try to steal it.

2

Core activity

2v2 Defend 3 Goals - Counter to 1

18 min9 intervals · 1 min play · 1 min rest

Objective

Protect the goals from opponents trying to score

Player actions

Protect your goal, Steal the ball

Organization

Divide your 15Wx25L grid, with 3 small goals on one end line and 1 goal on the other, play a 2v2 game. Half the team starts on one end line and half on the other. The team defending the single goal starts with the ball. 2 players from the attacking team enter the field. As soon as they enter, 2 players from the opposite end also enter the field. The team who starts with the ball can attack any of the 3 goals on their opponent's end line. If the defending team wins the ball, they can attack the single goal. RULES: defending team cannot enter the field until the attacking team takes their first touch on the soccer ball. Game last for 1 minute. Coach can serve another ball onto the field if the game ball leaves the field or is scored. Multiple goals can be scored within 1 minute. After 1 minute, switch the players on the field and play again.

Key wordsBlock your goalWin the ball

Guided questions

Which of the 3 goals is most dangerous?

The goal closest to the ball is the most dangerous.

Where should a defender be if a goal is dangerous?

Someone should try to block the goal so the attacker can't score.

What should you do if the attacker kicks the ball too far in front of him/her?

Step closer to the ball and try to poke tackle the ball away from the attacker.

Coach note

Remember to focus on the defending players. If a team stops in a triangle, they can no longer score until they come out. What can the defenders to protect a different goal when they do come out? Coaches can partner with an attacking player if need be but allow the players to take on the role of defenders.

3

Play phase

The Game - 4v4

22 min2 intervals · 9 min play · 2 min rest

Objective

Protect the goal from the opponent trying to score & win the ball if you can

Player actions

Protect your goal, steal the ball

Organization

In a 25Wx35L field & a small goal on each end line, play a 4v4 game with no goal keepers. Play for 22 minutes - 2 x 9-minute halves with a 2-minute half-time. Local rules apply. If the ball leaves the field, the coach can play another ball onto the field and the play continues.

Rules

enforce. Remember to create a build out line for goal kicks and focus on the techniques needed to complete the task instead of the moment of the players on the field. The game must be played so try not to dwell on the restarts. C

Key wordsBlock your goalWin the ball

Guided questions

Which of the 3 goals is most dangerous?

The goal closest to the ball is the most dangerous.

Where should a defender be if a goal is dangerous?

Someone should try to block the goal so the attacker can't score.

What should you do if the attacker kicks the ball too far in front of him/her?

Step closer to the ball and try to poke tackle the ball away from the attacker.

Coach note

Depending on your local rules, coaches may introduce throw-ins, corner kicks & goal kicks if rules enforce. Remember to create a build out line for goal kicks and focus on the techniques needed to complete the task instead of the moment of the players on the field. The game must be played so try not to dwell on the restarts. C

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Check your setup

Five elements of a training exercise

1

Organized — Is the exercise organized in the right way?

2

Game like — Is the exercise game like?

3

Repetitions — Are there repetitions when looking at the overall goal of the session?

4

Challenging — Are the players being challenged? Is there the right balance between being successful and unsuccessful?

5

Coaching — Is there the proper coaching based on the age and level of the players?

After the session

Self-reflection

How did you achieve your goals of the training session?

What did you do well?

What could you do better?