Training - Tuesday, January 2

I started the month of defensive sessions with the basics of 1v1.  The idea today was to work on closing the ball down quickly with the correct angle of approach, assuming a correct defensive position, then delaying and jockeying the attacker. 

I. Closing At Speed

Setup
- 3 players to a ball (A, B, and C)
- A and B stand together, C stands about 10 - 12 yards away

Procedure
(1) A passes the ball to C
(2) B closes to defend
(3) B assumes a good defensive position
(4)  C gives B the ball, B plays to A and C closes down A

Coaching Points
* Defenders close at speed while the ball is moving

* Defenders should shorten their strides as they approach the attacker.  Why?  Long strides = less frequent foot contact with the ground = less ability to change direction.  Short strides = more frequent contact with the ground = more ability to change direction in reaction to the attacker's movements.

* Defenders need to find the correct "buffer zone" between themselves and the attackers.  Too far away and the attacker will not feel pressure, too close and the attacker can take a quick touch by you.

* Correct defensive position is side on, offset defending.  Defenders are trying to make the attackers predictable in order to help defender's teammates make adjustments. 

- Square defending allows the attacker to go either way, while also not letting the defender have a good chance of recovering if beaten.

- Side on defending allows the defender to better recover backwards if beaten, but still allows the attacker to go either way.

- Side on, offset defending allows the defender to better recover backwards if beaten while channeling the attacker to one side or the other.

I then took these concepts into a 1v1 exercise to goal.