USSF A License - Defending in Phase 3 (final third) | Session #1

This U14 Girls Academy session focuses on defending in Phase III (the final third) with the objective of forcing a mistake and winning the ball high. Recorded as part of my U.S. Soccer A-Youth License coursework. Our main questions: what spaces are we defending and where do we want the ball to go? We worked on denying central, making play predictable, and pressing triggers. Session progression: Dynamic warm-up Accelerations, changes of direction, and explosive movements to prepare players for the session. NOT INCLUDED IN THE VIDEO 00:01 Activity #1: 2v1 in two grids Focus: force wide, deny passing lanes. Pressing cues: is the attacker facing backward? did she have a bad touch? step and try to win it 11:21 Activity #2: 5 + GK vs 5 in phase # & 2v1 in Phase 2 Focus: Same focus of first activity but with bigger numbers and the game structure. Focus team is set up with two strikers, one CAM and two wingbacks. Attacking team is set up with a GK, back four and one CM. Activity #3: Game An opportunity to observe whether players applied the defensive behaviors from the earlier activities, with fewer constraints and less coaching intervention. NOT INCLUDED IN THE VIDEO Training context This was the first session of a three-session training week, held on Tuesday. Team: U14 Girls Academy Session objective: Force a mistake and win it high Instagram:   / coachlarotta   TikTok:   / coachlarotta   #U14girls #soccercoaching #girlssoccer