Practical Coaching

Session Planner
TOPIC / THEME: Defending
Defending crosses in a functional practice

DESCRIPTION OF PRACTICE:
Coaching in a functional practice

ORGANISATION Defending third Functional practice

9 yellows & 7 blues attacking the goal in final
third on a full size pitch.

Start position : An overlap on the right draws

the full back to enable a cross to be delivered
from a wide position level with the 18 yd box.

The back four recovers to defend the cross.

The two yellow strikers attack the cross
along with one attacking central midfield
player and one wide player on the opposite
side. The second wide players wait till next
turn.
The blue strikers and yellow defenders near
Defenders start positions are in relation to
the half way line compete to be first to the
the start position of the ball
clearances and knock downs

KEY OBSERVATION FACTORS:

1. Recovery lines ( angle and distance in relation to position of the ball , goal and keeper)
2. Body position ( seeing the ball and the man, back to goal and open as soon as possible)
3. Critical areas (Front of goal, middle and Far post area)
4. Attacking the ball ( Focus on the ball, being first, strong and determined)
5. Secondary possession ( knock downs, pressure on second ball, clearances and squeezing up)

NOTES:
The session is developed to preventing crosses. Coaching the full back to recover, defend better 2v1 and
apply pressure to the ball and delay for cover. Blocking crosses (Technique).

Progress to some free play by allowing defenders who win clearances to feed wide men for another cross.
You could allow knock downs to be converted to shots and combination play on edge of box before
progressing to a central functional practice or a Phase of play.