U8 Practice Plan - Pressuring Defender

U8 Practice Plan - Pressuring Defender

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

Players Required: 
4

Set Up:

  • Make fields of 20 x 10 yards. Place small goals on each endline.

  • 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).

  • 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

Players Required: 
10

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

Players Required: 
4
Balls Required: 
2
Goals Required: 
1

Set Up:

  • Set up the game as shown with all the balls with the line behind the goal.

  • The game starts with a pass from the first person in the defending line to the first person in the attacking line.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • As soon as ball goes out, the next two have to be ready to play. Get game moving fast.

Coaching Points:

  • 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.  

  • Try to make play predictable by forcing the defender one way or the other.

  • 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

Players Required: 
8
Balls Required: 
1
Goals Required: 
0

Set Up:

  • Remove the endzones in the previous game, and add two 3 yard goals on each end (field is now 31x20yds)

  • Let players play 4v4, coach decides how restarts happen, depending on local rules

Coaching Points:

  • 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.

  • 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.

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