Defending in the Box - U18

Organization:   

Area: 15y x 10y

Place two small cones on each side, five yards from starting cone. Divide players in two groups. First player of each group jogs around the cone and jogs back diagonally to the other group. The second player starts as soon as the first player is at the small cone.  When the players meet in the center of the grid on the way back, they need to zipper. Demand a perfect zipper. Players cross each other evenly. Count the mistakes. One mistake, one push up. This encourages communication and sorting 'the zipper' out. After several times jogging, players perform variety of runs and dynamic stretches to the first cone and zipper on the way back. Knee lifts, butt kicks, karaoke steps, skipping with arm swings, side steps, backward jogging and running, and so forth.  

Variations: 

• After making the turn, players accelerate and sprint while still zippering when passing each other. 
• Players run with ball above their head or hold a stick. 
• Set up cones/ladder to add agility movements. 

Organization:

 Area: 24y x 12y

Create three small fields of 8y x 12y. On the center field, play 1v1 line soccer. On the two outside fields, play 1v1 with small goals placed in the corners of one side of the field. The players always start in theopposite corners from the goals. Begin the 1v1s with a pass across from the defender. Switch roles after the turn is over. Players switch fields every eight minutes.

Game: Keep track of goals scored.

Coaching Points:

1st Defender Role

• Who and What?

• Approach the attacker quickly, slow down when getting close,

• Angled position, low in the knees, elbows bent,

• Move feet quickly with little steps, force the attacker to the sideline.

• Win the ball back at the right moment. 

On fields with small goals in corner:

• First run to the center to protect the goal, followed by pressure on the attacker.

• Force the attacker away from the goal, towards the sideline.

• Don’t stop defending after you get beat. You never know!

Attacker:

• Make your 1v1 move with conviction

• Go around the player, not through the player.

• Accelerate after your move.

Organization:

Area: Length of two penalty boxes, full width.  

The game starts with a pass of throw from the goalkeeper to one of the two wide players. As soon as this player passes the halfway line, one of the defenders must run out of the penalty box to defend and either steal the ball or block the cross. The two attackers try to score from the cross. When the defenders win the ball, they immediately try to pass the ball to their two attackers, move up and try to score from a layoff or quick combination play. 

Variation:

1. Play 7v7 (6v6 plus goalkeepers) with three attackers and four defenders starting in the box. 

2. After winning the ball, the defenders get 30 seconds to score a goal.

Focus Points:

Attacking

• Distribution of goalkeeper: throw or pass the ball in the run of the winger.
• Winger with space: take a larger first touch to create speed and use the space.
• Winger without space: first touch must make it possible to cross the ball quickly.
• Cross must be low and hard. Possibly pass it back between the 6 yard line and the penalty spot.
• Winger must look for eye contact with attackers just before crossing the ball.
• When a cross is not possible, cut the ball back and cross the ball with the other foot. 
• Players in front of the goal must judge when the cross is coming; don't be too early. 
• Vary speed when running to the goal; from calm to powerful explosion. 
• Start in the back of the defender.  
• Block a defender to help your teammate. 
• Attackers should end up at first post, second post and PK spot. Don't run up in one line. 
• The player on the other half can join in to possibly take the second ball.   
• When the ball passes you, immediately get ready for the next ball/situation. 
• When the winger cuts the ball back, immediately take up a new position for the in-swinger. 
• Score

Defending 

Defender who runs out to block the cross:

• Sprint out, try to get as close as possible to the attacker.
• Try to avoid the cross/pass between the goalkeeper and the defenders.
• Don't jump up top avoid being cut out, no unnecessary sliding tackles.
• Force the attacker to where you want them to go. Use the sideline and endline as a teammate. 

Defenders in front of the goal:

• Pick a mark and stay with your mark. No switching. Everyone is responsible  for their direct opponent.
• Be aware of surroundings: do not get blocked or surprised by runs of the opponent.
• Stay between the attacker and the goalkeeper. 
• Stand open, use arms to feel the opponent and to use them in the 1v1 battle.
• Don't let the opponent head freely.  Always make contact and try unbalance the attacker. 
• Jump on time. Don't give the opponent a chance to get above you.
• Block the attacker at the moment the goalkeeper comes for the ball. 

Transition:

After winning the ball, the defenders must look and lay deep quickly to attackers, push up and try to score as quickly as possible.  

Organization: 

Area: Half field

There two attacking zones of about 25 yards and a center zone of about six yards. On the side of each attacking zones have two zones for the wingers. One of the midfielders passes the ball to a winger and joins the two forwards in front of the goal.  At the moment of the pass from the midfielder, one defender steps up to the winger to defend the cross. In front of the goal, a 3v2+GK is created. The defenders plus the goalkeeper work together to stop the attackers from scoring. When the defenders win the ball, they pass it in to one of the midfielders, who opens to a winger on the other side. When the ball goes out of bounds, the game starts again with a pass from the midfielders. With fewer players, use fewer midfielders or only use one flank in the activity. Winger switches side every couple minutes.  

Variations: 

1. When the attackers win the ball back from the defenders, they are allowed to play the ball back to a midfielder who can shoot and score from distance. 

2. Add an extra defender to make it an 8v8 game and 3v3 in front of the goal. 

Focus Points:

Defending 

• Defender who sprints out to attacker must take out the cross or win the ball.
• Force the attacker to where you want them to go. Use the sideline and endline as a teammate. 
• Defenders in front of the goal must pick a mark and stay with your mark. No switching.
• Stand open, see ball and opponent, use arms to feel the opponent and to use them in the 1v1 battle, unbalance the attacker. 
• Block the attacker at the moment the goalkeeper comes for the ball. 

Attacking

• Midfielder must pass the ball in the run of the winger.
• Winger crosses immediately or cuts back and crosses. 
• Winger must make eye contact with attackers and cross the ball in hard over the ground.
• Attackers must be patient and wait till the last moment to make a run. 
• Attackers should end up at first post, second post and PK spot. Don't run up in one line. 
• Score

Transition:

• After winning the ball, the defenders must look and play to the midfielders as quickly as possible. 
• After losing the ball, the attackers try to win the ball back as quickly as possible. 

Set Up:

Play 9 v 9 with GKs on a full field, using the full width. Use the 18 yard line as the end lines for the field. Both teams play a 3-3-3, or whatever the coach decides to play. This is free play with no stoppages for coaching. Balls put out of play are re-started by the GKs.