POSITION SPECIFIC DEFENDER TRAINING
INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING
-
1 v 1 defending
-
Heading: clearing and directional
-
Defending crosses
-
Marking in final third
UNIT DEFENDING
-
Phase of Play
-
Numbers down defending
-
Playing out of the back
-
Defending wide areas
-
Defending in the final third
DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
COMPETITIVE PLAYERS
LEARNING TO
TRAIN
Boys/Girls
Under 9/10
5v5 - 7v7
Mental:Competitiveness & concentration
Physical: Acceleration,
reaction and speed
Social: Fair play,
cooperation and problem solving
Technical: moves
turns and ball control
Tactical: Playing out
from the back, width,
depth and possession
ACTIVE START
Boys/Girls
Under 5/6
1v1 - 3v3
Phase 1: May - Aug
Phase 2: Sept/Oct
Phase 3: Nov–April
Mental: Motivation
Physical: Spatial
awareness and body coordination
Social: Communication
Technical: Dribbling
and shooting games
FUNDAMENTALS
Boys/Girls
Under 7/8
1v1 - 5v5
Phase 1: May - Aug
Phase 2: Sept/Oct
Phase 3: Nov–April
Mental: Self Confidence
Physical: Agility,
balance and coordination
Social: Communication
respect and discipline
Technical: 1v1 attacking
LEARNING TO TRAIN
Boys/Girls
Under 11/12
9v9
Mental: Commitment,
self control and
determination
Physical: Basic
motor skills, perception and awareness
Social: Decision making, empathy and patience
Technical: ways to receive and distribute the ball
Tactical: Overload,
isolate, interchange
and defending
TRAIN TO TRAIN
Boys/Girls
Under 13/14
11v11
Regional excel
centers: Girls
ID camps: Boys
Pro club academies: Boys
Mental: Mental
preparation and goal
setting
Physical: Endurance,
strength and speed
Social: Peer influence,
and acceptance
Technical: Aerial receiving and aerial distribution
Tactical: Position specific, middle third and attacking third
JUNIOR ACADEMY
TRAIN TO TRAIN
Boys/Girls
Under 15/16
11v11
Youth national teams: Boys / Girls
National Excel Program: Girls
College / University
Showcases: Boys/ Girls
Mental: Mental
preparation & goal
setting
Physical: Aerobic,
strength, core stability
& individualized
fitness plan
Social: Peer influence
and acceptance
Technical: Advanced
technical skills
Tactical: Defensive
block, situational,
various methods of
attacking
TRAINING TO COMPETE
Boys/Girls
Under 17/18
11v11
College / University
Showcases: Boys/Girls
Semi Pro & Pro clubs: Boys/Girls
National teams: Boys/Girls
Mental: Mental
preparation & goal
setting
Physical: Soccer
specific conditioning,
speed endurance,
muscular endurance,
individualized fitness
plan
Social: Winning
Technical: Technique refinement
Tactical: Defensive
block, relative to
opponent, various
methods of attacking
