This practice focuses on defending. Work with player on how and when to pressure when playing defense. This is a 1 hour practice session and the outline is as follows:

• 20 x 10 2 vs 2 small sided game (10 minutes)
• Get your own ball (15 minutes)
• 1 vs 1 to single goal (15 minutes)
• 31 x 20 4 vs 4 scrimmage (15 minutes)

End of Practice Discussion

• What is the role of the pressuring defender? (the slow down the attack so teammate can get back to help).
• When should the pressuring defender try and tackle the ball? (when the attacker makes a bad touch).
• How quickly should the pressuring defender approach the attacker? (Quick! However, we want to slow down with quick choppier step as we get closer so we don’t run by them!)
• How can a defender make play predictable? (by angling body to try and force attacker one way or the other).