U8 practice #6 Defending

Theme this week:  Defending

Defending coaching points
Defender's stance:
Defender's feet should be about a shoulder width apart (boxers stance)
- legs should be slightly bent
- stay on toes so you can react to any sudden changes of direction by the attacker.
-quick close down
-delay/give space - don't commit- jockey
-watch ball not player
-make the attacker make the mistake
Defender positioning:
- defender is goalside (closer to net than attacker)
- direct attacker into area where there is support

How to Block Tackle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUtauRD5ipo

Warm Up -
Knees game - 15 x 15 meter grid. Players assume defender's stance in grid and move within grid trying to touch the knees of others. You can protect your knees by moving out of way and by blocking with your own hands. This game gives players practice moving like a defender. They should be shuffling not running.
Keep Away - 20 X 30 m grid. All players except for two are dribbling within a grid. Those without balls try to win ball from other players and then continue to dribble with grid. When coach stops play the two players without balls must do a challenge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RWJ6u8X4dY

Game
Two teams. Regular rules. Focus on good defending skills.

Technical Team Activities: Choose a few of the below drills.
Start by practicing the block tackle, as in video above, so they are not afraid to tackle.
Ensure you spend time demonstrating proper defending stance and positioning. Encourage good defending skills and correct when needed.
1 vs 1 defending. Players 15 apart. Defender passes ball to attacker who tries to beat defender and dribble to end line.
Progress to 2 vs 1 where defender is trying to prevent two attackers from getting to endline or to get a shot on net.

Shark...because they love it.  Could play knock out version with two grids, continuous, with one person as the shark, they need to know everyone's ball out of grid, when knocked out, they go into second grid, coach designates a shark for that grid.  Switch sharks when clearly tired.

Move to 2v2, as in Fundamentals course package (two goals, coach pass in, two players coming in from each end).  Coach first and second defender....first defender pressures and plays ball, second defender supports.  Work on close downs with appropriate distance so not easily beat.

Win ball Drill:  two lines facing coach, who plays 50/50 ball, try and win the ball and pass to target (goal or person), work on defending and second effort if beaten.

1v1 to numbers game:

Have two small goals on either end of a mini field.  Balls at centre on side of grid with coach, line up of players on either side of coach (two teams, one in pinnies), play a ball into middle of field, 1v1 until dead or score.  Can increase number of players going for ball to create different situations, 2v2, 3v3 etc...or numbers game:  Number players 1,2,3,4,5 etc. Call out a number. Coach rolls out ball at center line and numbered player on each team must try to win ball and then either defend their goal or attack the other goal. Progress to calling out more than one number and encourage players on same team to work together to score. . Add a goalkeeper

Game:  Two teams, one ball, play the game!