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Football: 4 Goal Channelling

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DESCRIPTION

6 vs 6 game with 2 Floaters (who can play for whichever team has the ball).

Set up an area the size of one half of the pitch. In each corner and in the middle, position 2 cones to make 5 mini goals.

Also have 6 players stood around the outside of the area, who the ball can be passed to and from.

After the first game, switch one of the teams out and have the outside 6 come in and form a team. Rotate round like this so they each play each other.

Play 3 mins each of attacking, 3 times (9 mins in total each, 27 mins overall).

COACHING POINTS

Defenders should be delaying Attackers until they have defensive support. They do this by firstly by putting pressure on the ball carrier.

It is important when delaying that they don't "dive in" and get beaten easily. They keep pressure on the ball but perhaps do not engage until teammates are there for support.

Half turned body position (don't stand square on)
Communication from Defensive support
Can they force the Attackers into certain areas to delay the ball going forwards

Rationale:

This is working on channelling players to where you want them to go, which is useful in a game to help you direct play and limit the opposition's choices.

Channelling is used to make play predictable - if Defence can restrict play to one area then they know where the ball will go.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

6 vs 2 Invasion Game:

High Intensity drill

This a 6 vs 2 invasion game. Mark out three areas in a line (each box 15m x 25m) using cones (You can adjust the area based on the level of the players and if it is too easy for the Attackers or Defenders).

Start with 6 players in each of the two end areas and 4 in the middle area.

The aim of this drill is for the 6 players in each end to keep possession of the ball, with those in the middle taking turns to try and win the ball. Players in the end zone have 2 touches maximum or a point goes to the Defenders.

To start, a Feeder will throw the ball into one of the ends. Two Defenders will then move into the relevant end and chase down passes in an effort to win the ball back in a 6 vs 2 game.

The 6 players will be passing the ball amongst themselves. Once they have completed 6 successful passes then they can pass to the opposite end. When this happens, the players left in the middle will enter that end and do the same thing.

The Defenders work for 3 minutes then rotate the playing positions around.

Defending

1 Vs. 1 Channelling:

Two teams line up side by side behind their cones. When the player with the ball sets off to run around the cone the drill is live.

The player with the ball must run around the cone and then try to score a goal in the defender's side goal by dribbling the ball across the line. This will score them a point.

The defenders have to try and force the player to run across their own goal line or tackle them and run the ball over the line themselves.

The winner is the first team to 3 goals. After this you can swap the roles around, with the attackers now defending and vice versa.

Defending

Defensive Unit Work:

This drill encourages players to work together in a Defensive unit and is especially relevant for midfield players.

Set up 3 areas in a line: 5 x 5 yards, 20 x 5 yards and another 5 x 5 yards

Opposite this, within shooting distance (about 15 yards), set up 4 goal areas in a line, marked by cones. The 2 inside goals will be used for the first game and then just the 2 outside goals will be used for the second game.

Have 1 player restricted to each of the 5 x 5 areas, and 2 players in the 20 x 5 area. The goal of these players is to pass amongst themselves to score (firstly in the goals marked "1" and then in the goals marked "2").

Against them will be 4 defenders who will need to work together to shut down these shooting opportunities, starting midway between the boxes and the goals.

The coach plays the ball to the Attackers, and at this time the Defenders will approach the Attackers. They cannot travel into the boxes but will use angles to try to stop a quick pass and shoot option.

Defending