1. Warm-ups (15-20 min) Setup: Designate 3-5 players as caterpillars, depending on size of group (give pinny to wear) These players tag the other players on their arms and backs Once tagged, the players join one hand with the tagger, forming a caterpillar, and work together to try and tag the remaining players Caterpillars only get as big as three links Once a fourth player is tagged, the caterpillar breaks into two smaller caterpillars, and they repeat the action Coaching: Encourage teamwork! Kent City FC © 2014

2. Field Setup Field Setup (6 stations) Separate large field into four equal “stations” using cones, and small field into two equal “stations” using cones Separate U8-U12 teams into 6 groups as follows: Create 2 mixed U8/U9 groups out of U8 and U9 teams Create 2 mixed U10 groups out of U10 Black and U10 Red teams Create 2 mixed U11/U12 groups out of U11 Black, U11 Red, and U12 teams Assign one coach to each “station” Each coach will run a game with the group in their “station” for approximately 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, groups will rotate clockwise (e.g. #1->2, 2->3, etc) to a new “station” Repeat until each group has participated in all stations ~40yds ~70yds Kent City FC © 2015 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 6 6 5 5

3. Station #1: 1v2 Pressure and Cover (15 min) Setup: Separate players into two teams, with each team in a different color pinny Place 4 cones as shown. Split team into 4 groups, with each group at a cone Passers have ball at their feet Game: Attacker will run into field and call for “BALL” Passer will pass ball to Attacker, and remain by cone 1 st defender runs to PRESSURE attacker (slow them down) as soon as they see the ball being passed 2 nd defender stays several yards behind first defender to provide COVER in case 1 st defender is beat Defender “scores” if they win ball and dribble it past far endline Attacker wins if they dribble ball across defender’s starting line Rotate groups periodically, but not every turn to allow players to get used to each role Coaching: Have 1 st defender approach the player with the ball in an arc to provide PRESSURE, staying at arms-length, and facing direction they want to “push” defender (e.g. sidelines). Call out “COVER” to ask for cover from 2 nd defender 2 nd defender stays several yards behind 1 st defender to provide COVER. Call out “COVER” to let 1 st defender know they have cover. PRESSURE = slow down attack COVER = support 1 st defender, prevent breakaways 20yds 35yds Kent City FC © 2014 1 st Defenders 2 nd Defenders Attackers Passers

4. Station #2: 2v2 Defending (15 min) Setup: Separate players into two teams, with each team in a different color pinny Place a pop-up goal on either end of the field Place cones on either side of the goals, and have each team line up. Coach stands at mid field Game: Coach will distribute a ball to one team or the other. Whichever team has the ball will attack. Defending team will defend with a 1 st defender (pressure) and 2 nd defender (cover), switching roles if attacking players move ball to a position where the 2 nd defender is now closer to the ball. Play 2v2 until goal is scored or ball goes out of bounds. Coach should alternate distributing ball to each team. Coaching: Focus on defending principles Have 1 st defender approach the player with the ball in an arc to provide PRESSURE, staying at arms-length, and facing direction they want to “push” defender (e.g. sidelines) 2 nd defender stays several yards behind 1 st defender to provide COVER PRESSURE = slow down attack COVER = support 1 st defender, prevent breakaways 20yds 35yds Kent City FC © 2014

5. Station #3: 2 v 3 Defending (15 minutes) Setup: Separate players into two teams, with each team in a different color pinny Place a goal on one end of the field (pop up or cones) Place cone goals or pop-up goals near the sideline around midfield Attacking team lines up behind the 2 cones at midfield Defending team lines up at 3 cones on either side of goal, no goalie Game: Coach will distribute a ball to attacking team Defending team will defend with a 1 st defender (pressure) and 2 nd defender (cover), switching roles if attacking players move ball to a position where the 2 nd defender is now closer to the ball. The 3rd defender (balance) will track the 2 nd attacker and be ready to shut down any runs Play 2v3 until goal is scored or ball goes out of bounds. Defenders score by getting ball through cones/goals at midfield Play is over when goal is scored or ball goes out of bounds Have defenders switch cones each turn Rotate attackers and defenders after half the time is up Coaching: Focus on defending principles Have 1 st defender approach the player with the ball in an arc to provide PRESSURE, staying at arms-length, and facing direction they want to “push” defender (e.g. sidelines) 2 nd defender stays several yards behind 1 st defender to provide COVER (yells “COVER!”) 3 rd defender positions themselves sin dangerous areas of field so that they can intercept and stop any runs by the second attacker PRESSURE = slow down attack COVER = support 1 st defender, prevent breakaways BALANCE = tracking attacking players without ball to prevent runs Encourage communication by defenders: “COVER!” 40yds Kent City FC © 2014 40yds Attackers 1 st Defender 2nd Defender 3rd Defender

6. Station #4: Mid Defending (15 min) Setup: Make ~10 yard long rectangle at mid field using cones as shown Give pinnies to 3-4 “defenders”, who will must stay inside rectangle. The rest of the players each have a ball and will be dribbling inside the top and bottom areas of the field Coach stands at mid field Game: Players with ball will try to dribble ball through mid field from one side to the other without losing the ball Defenders will try to intercept and clear out of bounds any balls that are dribbled through mid field rectangle. After playing for a few minutes, rotate defenders so that everyone gets a change in the rectangle Coaching: Have defenders work on containing attacker and driving them towards sidelines Encourage defenders to PRESURE first to slow down attacker and not over commit 20yds 35yds Kent City FC © 2015

7. Station #5: Defending the box (15 min) Setup: Make two ~10 yard boxes using cones as shown, and two goals (pop up or cones) behind boxes Place a cone on sideline in front of each box One player starts in each box and in front of each goal, and the rest line up with balls behind cones on sideline Coach stands at mid field Game: Players with ball will try to dribble ball through the box with the defender and shoot on goal Defenders will try to intercept and clear the ball out of the box Goalie can use hands After goal is scored or ball goes out of box, the attacker becomes the defender in the box, the defender becomes the goalie, and the goalie gets a ball and gets in line to be an attacker Run two groups simultaneously Coaching: Have defenders work on containing attacker and driving them out of box Encourage defenders to PRESURE first to slow down attacker and not over commit and get beat 20yds 35yds Kent City FC © 2015

8. Station #6: 1 v 1 Battle (15 min) Setup: Make 2 yard wide goals using cones spread around playing area (make half as many as the total number of players in group Assign two players per goal, and 1 ball per goal For ODD numbers, have one goal with 3 players Coach stands at mid field Game: Players play 1v1 and try to score on their goal in either direction Player with ball is attacker, and player without ball is defender and tries to steal the ball If defender steals ball, they become attacker and try to shoot on goal For groups of 3, there is 2 attackers and 1 defender After a few minutes, have player that last touched ball rotate to a new goal Only shots on ground count as goal Coaching: Have defenders work on marking attacker closely and tackling to gain possession of ball Encourage defenders to PRESURE first to slow down attacker and not over commit and get beat 20yds 35yds Kent City FC © 2015