Kentucky Youth Soccer Association Coach Education Lesson Plan

This lesson plan focuses on defending in the attacking third. It includes warm up exercises, small sided activities, and a game to teach players when to apply pressure, cover space, and maintain balance when defending higher up the pitch. Drills are set up to work on pressing the opponent, covering behind teammates, and using communication to stay connected as a unit when the other team has possession in the attacking third. The full game scenario awards more points for goals scored after winning the ball in the opponent's attacking third to encourage strong defending in that area.

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Kentucky Youth Soccer Association Coach Education Lesson Plan

Uploaded by

HamizarHH

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Kentucky Youth Soccer Association

Coach Education Lesson Plan

Topic = Defending in the Attacking Third

Coach= Adrian Parrish

The activities below are set up to work with teams that play in a 4-3-3 formation but can be manipulated to fit the
style for any formation
Warm-Up

Organization
* 4 Defenders and 3 Strikers are in a 36 x 18 yard area
* The 4 defenders pass the ball back and forth.
* The 3 strikers shadow the balls movement and apply pressure.
* The strikers do not attempt to win the ball, but simply move to apply pressure,
cover and balance.
Coaching Points
* Pressure, Cover, Balance
* Players move as the ball is in transition
* Body position to force the play back into support
* Dropping back to provide cover and balance after the ball has moved
* Communication

Small Sided Activity

Organization
* 6 Defensive Players (inc GK) versus 4 Attacking Players
* Work with the 3 Strikers and one attacking midfielder
* 40 yards long x 46 yards wide
* Defensive team tries to play out and score by dribbling into the end zone area
* Attacking team tries to win it and go and score on the big goal
* Play with an offside rule.
* After either team has scored the activity restarts with the goalkeeper
* Play Throw Ins, No corners

Coaching Points
* Pressure, Cover Balance. Help players see the pictures when to apply good
pressure
* Try to force the play into support
* Stay Connected
* Communication

Expanded Small Sided Game

Organization
* Phase of play 9 Defenders 4-3-1 in Blue versus 8 Attackers 2-3-3 Yellow
* Defenders score by playing into their target player and dribbling through one of
the counter goals.
* Attackers score in the big goal
* Play offside, no corners. Goal is scored start with GK

Coaching Pictures
* Apply pressure when defender is facing their own goal
* Apply pressure during a long pass. Can you double team or intercept the pass
* When ball is played into the midfield defend from the front
* Create a pressure pocket. Force the ball to a technically inferior player
* Center Mid, needs to keep looking behind and stop balls from being played into
the strikers feet
* Midfielders to defend on the shoulder which would be goal side
* Tracking back to force the play to the side
* Balancing defenders need to keep hips and body open