Primary Role #1
Ability to defend 1v1 and deny the opponent's penetration
Areas of growth
-Deny/block shots
-Intercept passes
-Win tackles and possession
-Stop opponent from turning
-Clear the danger
-Dominate physically
Primary Role #2
Ability to build out of the back and start the attack
Areas of growth
-Proper angles and distance of support
-Range and accuracy of the pass
-Weak foot proficiency
-A clearance is just a long pass
Primary Role #3
Win aerial challenges and defend against service into the box
Areas of growth
Attack and win high balls
Win second balls
Dominate the box in set piece
Defend and clear crosses
Primary Role #4
Organize the midfield and rotate into the backline when needed
Areas of growth
Be prepared for the "oh $#!t moment"
Stop the counter
Organize Mids and forwards in the press and in transition
Squeeze seams between backline and midfielders
Help teammates with positioning and decision making
Physical Assessment
20 meter:
Vertical jump:
YIRT levels:
Mental Attributes
Training Priority
Train these with purpose. Be intentional every time you step on the field.
- Footwork and defensive mobility
- Awareness of passing lanes and when to intercept
- Recognizing when to switch the point and improving passing range with both feet
- Defending the box and improving timing when attacking aerial challenges
- Improve tactical knowledge in order to communicate and organize properly
Training Plan
Suggested training module for next 8 week cycle
- Tuesday: defending crosses
- Wednesday: creating overloads in the back
- Monday: Intercepting passes and tackling
- Tuesday: match analysis
- Sunday: defensive footwork
- 4 sessions range of passing training
- 3 sessions individual defending training
- 3 sessions defending the box training
- 2 sessions defensive footwork
- 2 sessions match analysis
- Tuesday: defensive footwork
- Wednesday: passing range
- Monday: match analysis
- Tuesday: defending the box
- Sunday: individual defending
Coach's Comments and Advice
- Learn to play without the ball and consistently adjust your positioning so you can handle the next scenario
- Achieve optimal body language and readiness by exhibiting the necessary focus and cognitive insight
- Learn how to go down the hierarchy of defending: Intercept, separate, deny the turn, deny the penetration, recover.
- Better timing when attacking the ball
- Awareness of space available when receiving the ball in order to make the correct pass