By Chris Kouns
USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Women’s Soccer Coach – Georgia Gwinnett College
This session is designed to improve your player's ability to deal with direct balls played into your defensive line.
Set-Up
Set up team in a large circle approximately 15 yards outside the center circle. Inside the team circle will be three players with a soccer ball.
Execution
The players in the circle will call the name of a teammate on the outside of the circle. They will then play a ball in the air to that person. As soon as the persons name is called the player to their immediate right and left will move into positions in front and behind the player who is receiving the ball in the air. The player receiving the ball should play it one time to one of the two other players and then they will dribble the ball into the center and continue the activity.
Coaching Points
As the ball travels in the air make sure the player receiving it gets the center of their chest in line with the ball
The players on each side of the person should travel as the ball travels and call their position (front or back)
The player receiving the ball should look to flick the ball on or play it forward to their teammates
Part 2
Setup
The same set up in terms of the outside of the circle. However, now there will be just two players with balls on the inside.
Execution
The players on the inside will be serving balls in the air to the players on the outside. This time the two players to the right and the two players to the left of the person receiving the ball will be moving into a position around them. The players should move into a type of diamond shape around the player receiving the ball and one of them will be played the ball by the receiver and will then play a first time ball to one of the supporting players on the other side of the shape.
Coaching Points
As the ball is travelling the four players moving should put their name on the part of the diamond they will be fulfilling (Front, Back, Right or Left).
Those supporting the player receiving the ball should be on their toes as they are working to receive the second ball and it may not always come off in the exact direction they plan.
The players on the opposite side of the shape should drift into a position where they will be in the field of vision for the player who gets the ball off the reception.
Part 3
Setup
The strikers will move the ball back and forth allowing the defending blocks to move with the ball. Then, they will look up, take a bigger touch in front of them and strike a long driven ball into the shape. As it travels the defending blocks will create the diamond shape around the player receiving the ball. They will then transition it back to the strikers.
Execution
The strikers will move the ball back and forth allowing the defending blocks to move with the ball. Then, they will look up, take a bigger touch in front of them and strike a long driven ball into the shape. As it travels the defending blocks will create the diamond shape around the player receiving the ball. They will then transition it back to the strikers.
Coaching Points
If a center back is moving into position to receive the ball then the other three backs will pinch in behind to assume the back of the diamond shape. One of the center mids will take the tip of the diamond and the outside midfielders will assume the sides of the diamond.
If a central midfielder is receiving the ball then a back may assume one of the wide sides of the diamond as well as the back of the shape. The midfielders should assume the other parts of the shape.
All players must begin to move into shape based on body position of the player striking the ball. Movement must be quick and decisive and willing to deal with imperfect shape of diamond while still fulfilling the roles of the shape.
By Chris Kouns: USSF A License (USSF Coaching Education Instructor) – NSCAA Premier Diploma (NSCAA Coaching Education Associate Staff Coach) – Head Coach Georgia Gwinnet College Women’s Soccer (GA)
