SMALL SIDED 2
This is another game like situation. The forwards will have to go through the penalty area and finish only at one side. Still, the forwards and defenders at the other side have to cover and mark.
The defenders when they win the ball, they will have to counter attack and finish at on of the 3 goals at the other side.
SMALL SIDED 1
Defenders vs forwards:
In the next few drills, both teams will only be defenders vs forwards. The red team are the forwards. The red gates are only allowed for defenders to do side passes, while the yellow gates are the only gates for forwards to pass through to move the play forward. Wile the green gate is allowed for both teams to tranfer the play from side to side.
In the first scenario, the reds had to go through the left side gate. While in the sexond they had an open player in the green gate who could pass to the other side where is his only spot allowed to make the pass to the other side transferring the game.
The defenders when building up, they have to make a pass through the side gate successfull before moving up the field and finishing their role.
While players progress, set time for every team to finish their target.
DRILL 5
This is a more serious, more challenging, yet it helps more imagination and decision making by the defensive midfield player. I the rondo zone, you can see 2 gates through which the players allowed to pass. After rondo, the team in possession set to pass through the gates to the 2 players waiting. The defensive midfield player is now in 2 options. If he can block at the gate, or should he run and mark the striker and stop him from scoring. Once the attack is finished, the next team turn starts.
PLAY PROGRESSION 4
In this situation, the striker is in straight line with the target. This increase pressure on the defensive midfielder as the distance is shorter and faster for the striker. In this more challenging drill, you may allow the striker to finish the ball from a further distance than in the drill before. Again, this will challenge the defensive midfield player.
PLAY PROGRESSION 3
In this drill the defensive midfielder of each team is put under the pressure of protecting the 6 yards zone and heavily press the number 9 for a long distance. While the ball in the rondo zone, the defensive midfield player presses and anticipates the next pass. Till the players complete the set number of passes, they pass to the ouside number 9. The defensive midfielder in action might anticipate that earlier if he knows the number of passes set. Now it is a 1v1 situation. The number 9 is not allowed to finish till he gets to the cone giving the play more space of challenge for the defensive midfielder. However, if the defensive midfielder wins the ball, he should pass back to the rondo zone where now his team can start their turn. If number 9 scores successfully, the outside player passes the ball and force fast transition.
PLAY PROGRESSION 2
This is a little more advanced and a little more serious than the first drill. In this drill, the field is organized into 4 zones. This is to allow the defensive midfield player focus his pressure and gate protection. Remember, the aim of the drill is to challenge and educate players, not to complicate the situation. As in the animation, the aim for team in possession is to transfer play to the other zone, and then to opponents' zone. The aim for the bib player is to highly press the ball holder and defend his gate.
PLAY PROGRESSION 1
Another drill where you spark youngsters to improve their ability as defensive midfield players. 2 teams compete in 2 tight zones. The drill as noted starts in a simple manner. 1 player of each team wears a bib which make them the defensive midfield players. When a team in possession, their bib player helps in rondo, while the opponent bib player applies high pressure. Players in possession should delay their pass as possible to allow the opponent apply pressure. Once the pre set number of passes is completed, the bib player with the team in possession should dribble with the ball into the gate. There, he is pressured by the opponent bib player till he successfully manages to turn, and pass to the other team. Then, it is his turn to be the defensive midfielder.
DEFENDING
CENTER BACKS is the one side of the game that keeps pundits busy and fans' nerves on the verge. In this drill, the center backs to be introduced to one of their roles. They will have to be aware of the side of play. The playground is designed as seen, with 2 goals at each side. The middle zone is where the forwards of one team allowed to keep possession. While the zones at each end are the penalty zones wheree only one attacking player is allowed. The horizontal middle line, is meant to divide the play into 2 sides. Each defender on each side is responsible to protect his goal while in defensive situation. He also has to follow carefully the side of play. While the defenders' team are in possession, the allowed to move forward providing some support for their mates. Attacking team try to get into the penalty zone and score at one goal.This will create a 1v1 situation with the defender who is now under pressure to protect his goal. If the attacking player successfully scores, the coach passes a ball to the opponents now so they transition. However, if the defender successfully wins the ball, he himself makes the transition pass.
DEFENDERS WORK IN THE BOX
In this drill, the middle zone is elongated putting defenders under more responsibility earlier. The poles and cones are taken further away from the 18 yards line as the aim here is to simulate counter attacks as well.
The game starts on the whistle, the players turn around their cones and poles. The coach sends the ball behind the offside line to the forwards who now begin their attack. Thei aim is to send the ball into the middle rectangular without being intercepted. The 2 other forwards move inside forming 2 other lines where the player with the ball can pass to. The defender outside is only delaying the player with the ball and not allowed to tackle till the ball is inside the box.
1 point for forwards to get the ball into the box, and 1 extra if they manage to score. The defenders only get one point per successful defending.
