ZONAL DEFENDING- EMPHASIS ON THE BACK FOUR
Laura Kerrigan Educator | United Soccer Coaches
1. WARM-UP- 1V1 MOVEMENT OF DEFENDERS
» 40 x 10 for each pair of players
( A) 1v1 no ball- Defender must stay with attacking player as if marking them. Attacking player moves laterally, diagonally, forward to try to lose defender.
» Working on body positioning low to ground / movement back, sideways, diagonally; increasing agility & dexterity.
( B) 1v1 with ball- Defender puts pressure on player w / ball- no tackling of ball.
» Working on body positioning / movement across the field / angle of pressure.
( C) 1 v. 1 with ball- tackling allowed. » Working patience in defending & deciding when / how to tackle ball.
2. 2V2- PRESSURE & COVER WITH 1ST AND 2ND DEFENDERS
» 25 x 10 yd grid.
» 2 Attackers begin on one endline and 2 defenders begin on other endline. Defenders start play with
ball played to attackers. Attackers must score by bypassing defenders and stopping it on the line or within a yard of the line. If goal or out of play, other team plays next ball.
» Focus coaching points on 1st defender approaching at angle and making play predictable. Do not tackle unless ball played out too far. 2nd Defender’ s position to help if 1st Defender is beat, but also to mark 2nd attacker.
» Focus coaching points on moment of pass from 1st attacker to 2nd attacker to have 1st defender drop and assumer cover position as 2nd defender and 2nd defender to step to ball at appropriate angle and become 1st defender.
48