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U8 Practice Plan - Pressuring Defender
U8 Practice Plan - Pressuring Defender
Practice Notes
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).
20 x 10 2v2 - Small Sided Soccer Game
Set Up:
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Make fields of 20 x 10 yards. Place small goals on each endline.
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The players go 2 v 2 on the field. On balls put out of play, use a throw-in or kick-in to get ball back in (coach's choice).
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After a goal is scored, play is restarted with a goal kick
Coaching Points:
- None. Let the players play and make mistakes. Only intervene if it is taking too long to get ball back in play.
Get Your Own Ball
Set Up:
- Ten players are set up inside the square, three players start WITHOUT a ball.
- The players without a ball try to steal a ball from an attacker. When an attacker loses their ball, they become a defender.
- Balls kicked out of the circle remain with the attacker.
- Play for 45 seconds and stop. The three players who don’t have a ball at the end have a goofy activity to do. Examples: donkey kicks, star jumps, etc
Coaching Points:
- Patience as defender: Try and stay with an attacker and wait for them to take a poor touch before attempting a tackle.
- Tackling technique: Don’t stab at ball. Step in along side of the ball and get weight behind your tackle.
1v1 To Single Goal
Set Up:
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Set up the game as shown with all the balls with the line behind the goal.
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The game starts with a pass from the first person in the defending line to the first person in the attacking line.
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The attacker tries to score on the small goal. If defender wins the ball, they try to dribble over attacker’s endline for a point.
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If the ball goes out of bounds or a goal is scored, the game is over and next two players start. Players switch lines after each turn.
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As soon as ball goes out, the next two have to be ready to play. Get game moving fast.
Coaching Points:
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The pressuring defender needs to approach with speed, but then slow down as they get closer so attacker isn’t able to run by them.
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Try to make play predictable by forcing the defender one way or the other.
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Don’t dive in. An attacker will eventually make a mistake, so just keep in between him and the goal. Wait for the attacker to take a bad touch.
31 x 20 4v4 Scrimmage
Set Up:
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Remove the endzones in the previous game, and add two 3 yard goals on each end (field is now 31x20yds)
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Let players play 4v4, coach decides how restarts happen, depending on local rules
Coaching Points:
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None. Just let them play. However, get excited when you see a player try a try a dribbling move or attempts to get a defender off balance.
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Always highlight positives you see, but don’t stop play and don’t correct their decision making. This is their time to play how they want.