Practice 3 - Defending
Earlier in the week we had our first game. It was a 7 v 7 indoor game. The girls worked so hard but had no thought to any of the play. it was tough to watch, but it has acted as a good bench mark. We scored one goal, but conceded a lot. the only way is up from here, and I enjoy a challenge.

I think some defending work should be done in the next practice session......

Warm up
10 Minutes
I marked of a 20 x 20 area using different colored cones. I had the girls in two's, with one ball between the two.
  • One girl dribbled the ball, her partner followed. The following player keeps at arms length away from the dribbling player.
  • I called out a color. the dribbling player stops their ball and runs to the colored disc, still being followed by the defender.
  • Switch roles.

25 Minutes - Shadow defending.

I now set the girls out in two teams of 5, no GK, no Ball with only one goal. I nominated one team as attackers, one as defenders.
  • The attackers move around the field.
  • The defenders stay 'goal side' protecting the goal.
  • Switch roles

Focus on:

  • Players staying goal side.
  • Players moving backwards
  • defending players have themselves between the goal and the attacker.

Variation:

  • I now stood each team at either post of the goal. I became the GK. I nominated one team to attack.
  • I threw the ball on the field and a 1 v 1 was played. The defender had to try and stop the attacking passing me the ball.
  • I them kept switching attackers / defenders
  • I built it up to 2 v 2, 3 v 3

 
15 Minutes - Sharks and Minnows

The girls now needed a fun exercise. In a 20 by 25 area two players are Sharks. All the other players have a soccer ball at one end line, they have to dribble across to the opposite end line. The two sharks defend and try and kick the ball out.
15 Minutes - Scrimmage The girls were trying to incorporate the previous defending skills. They worked so hard.

Back to U9 Diary