Prevention, not cure! - Stop the danger from developing!
Working on these defensive principles this session starts with a simple headering drill, before adding an accuracy element to the exercise - getting players to direct their John-Terry-like clearances to a team-mate higher up the field. Following on from this we get competitive, working with two teams players will have to compete for the ball in the air.
By cutting out the high ball service to the front men not only will you stem the flow of dangerous balls to their front players but you will also frustrate your opponent, forcing them to change their game plan. If the opposition do decide to play with the ball on the ground you can then work on defensive cover, if one player goes to meet the ball one of their team-mates should fill the gap and provide a second line of defence in case the first defender gets beaten by their man.
in more ways than one
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in more ways than one
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Under FutureFit, your Under-9s stay at 5v5, your Under-11s stay at 7v7 and your Under-13s stay at 9v9. Same pitch, same numbers, one more year. Here is how to make sure that year feels like a step forward rather than a repeat.
Most 1v1s are lost in the first second, when the defender rushes in and dives. Teach your players to slow the attacker down, take away the dangerous option and pick the right moment, and they will win far more of them.
The FA's FutureFit framework lands this season, bringing a 3v3 entry format at Under-7s. Here is what actually changes on a Saturday morning, and how to coach it well.
