Week 28

Outcomes

• ✓Players can sprint to close down within two seconds of the attacker receiving.
• ✓Players can adopt a side-on defensive stance to channel the attacker.
• ✓Players can slow their approach to avoid being beaten by a burst of speed.
• ✓Players can delay until a team-mate provides cover before tackling.

Equipment

• 10 cones
• 6 bibs
• 1 ball per pair
• 2 small goals

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 15×15 yd grid, each player with a ball.

   How to run it: Players dribble freely. On 'Press!', each player abandons their ball and sprints to steal any other ball. On 'Protect!', they return to shielding the nearest ball using their body.

   • ›Explosive first step on 'Press!'
   • ›Shielding: keep your body between the ball and the chaser.
   • ›React immediately — don't hesitate.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Pairs facing each other, 5 yards apart, no ball.

   How to run it: Partner A mirrors every lateral movement of Partner B for 20 seconds, then swap. Add forward-back movements. Finish with two sprints over 10 yards in reaction to the partner dropping a hand.

   • ›Stay on your toes, slight knee bend at all times.
   • ›Keep your eyes on the attacker's hips — not the ball or feet.
   • ›Shuffle — don't cross your feet.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: 10×8 yd channel. Defender at one end, attacker at the other with ball. Small goal behind the defender.

   How to run it: Attacker tries to dribble past the defender and score. Defender's goal is to delay for five seconds without conceding. Coach times each rep. Progress: add a second mini-goal so the attacker has two targets, increasing the defender's decision load.

   • ›Arrive at the ball quickly, slow down in the last two yards.
   • ›Side-on stance: one foot forward, weight on the back foot.
   • ›Show the attacker to their weaker side by opening your body angle.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 3v3 on a 20×15 yd pitch, two cone goals each end. One point for scoring, one bonus point for the defending team if they delay for five seconds before winning the ball.

   How to run it: Normal possession rules. Coach awards the bonus delay point out loud when earned. Teams track their own delay points on their fingers.

   • ›First defender presses; second defender provides cover.
   • ›Don't all chase — one presses, others hold shape.
   • ›Win the ball cleanly — a foul concedes the point.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 including keepers, 35×25 yd, full goals.

   How to run it: Free match with one constraint: after losing the ball, the nearest outfield player must sprint to close the new ball-carrier within three seconds or a free kick is awarded. Coach counts aloud to three when the ball is turned over.

   • ›Immediate reaction when possession is lost.
   • ›Press with purpose — angle your run to channel, not just chase.
   • ›Keeper organises the defensive line with voice.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Players seated in a circle.

   How to run it: Static quad, hamstring, and hip-flexor stretches held for 20 seconds each side. Coach asks: 'What is the defender's job BEFORE they tackle?' Collect answers.

   • ›Delay = success, not failure.
   • ›A tackle at the wrong time is worse than no tackle.

Outcomes

• ✓Players can time a block tackle to win the ball cleanly.
• ✓Players can use a poke tackle when the attacker overruns the ball.
• ✓Players can recover quickly after an unsuccessful tackle attempt.
• ✓Players can transition immediately from defending to attacking after winning possession.

Equipment

• 12 cones
• 8 bibs
• 6 balls
• 2 full-size goals
• 2 keepers

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: 15×15 yd grid, players with balls.

   How to run it: Players dribble and attempt to kick other players' balls out of the grid while protecting their own. Any player whose ball leaves the grid does 5 toe-taps and rejoins. Last three players with balls win.

   • ›Use your body to shield — don't just dribble into open space.
   • ›Attack exposed balls quickly.
   • ›Stay aware of what's around you.

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Players in a line, 10 yd channel.

   How to run it: Series: lateral bounds, single-leg hops, backward runs, cut-and-sprint (plant one foot and explode 90 degrees). Final two reps: sprint to a ball, perform a block tackle on a stationary ball, recover to standing.

   • ›Plant the non-tackling foot beside the ball on the block tackle.
   • ›Drive through the ball with the inside of the foot.
   • ›Recover balance immediately after contact.

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Pairs, one ball. Cones mark a 6×6 yd box. Attacker in the box tries to keep the ball; defender tries to win it.

   How to run it: Defender must use only block or poke tackles — no dispossessing by running through the attacker. Coach calls 'Poke!' to force poke-tackle-only mode for 30 seconds. Rotate every 90 seconds.

   • ›Block tackle: both feet on the ground, lean into the ball.
   • ›Poke tackle: extend the lead leg, quick flick, don't lunge.
   • ›After winning the ball, immediately dribble two yards — practice the transition.

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v4 on a 25×20 yd pitch. Two mini-goals per end (wide gates). One point per goal scored, one bonus point for any clean tackle that immediately leads to a counter-attack goal.

   How to run it: Teams nominate their best defender before each two-minute round. Bonus point is live; coach awards it when the sequence is completed. Swap nominated defender each round.

   • ›Win the ball standing up where possible.
   • ›After winning possession, look forward immediately.
   • ›Second defender: anticipate the transition and be ready to support.

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 6v6 including keepers, 40×30 yd, full goals.

   How to run it: Free match. Coach introduces a 'Clean Sheet Challenge': whichever team keeps a clean sheet for the most consecutive minutes gets to choose the cool-down activity. Coach tracks minutes aloud.

   • ›Organised defensive shape — no ball watching.
   • ›Win the first contact, then transition.
   • ›Goalkeeper commands the box on set pieces.

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Pairs, light passing while talking.

   How to run it: Easy passes back and forth for two minutes while coach asks questions: 'What's the difference between a block tackle and a poke tackle? When do you use each?' Finish with a team high-five line.

   • ›Poke = attacker has overrun; block = attacker is set.
   • ›Celebrate the team's defensive effort, not just goals.