📋 Session Plan · Defending
5v5 Defending Basics
A 30-minute introduction to defending for U8–U9 squads. Shadow defending, goal-side awareness, and the basics.
⏱Session timeline
8m
12m
10m
▦Session blocks
1
Shadow tag warm-up
8 minIn pairs: one player mirrors the other's movement. No ball. Builds the defensive footwork and reactive body position.
2
Shadow defending with ball
12 minSame pairs. Player with ball dribbles slowly. Defender mirrors 1-2m away. No tackling — pure body shape and positioning.
3
5v5 with defending awareness
10 min5v5 with mini goals. Coach calls out good defending: 'GOOD BODY SHAPE!' 'YOU'RE GOAL-SIDE!' The language shapes the habit.
◆What you'll need from yourself
Simple objectives: face the ball, stay goal-side. Don't introduce tackling technique at this age — the body shape comes first.
!Common problems
Players diving in immediately — 'wait, wait, wait' is the coaching cue.
?Frequently asked questions
What age group is 5v5 Defending Basics suitable for?
This session is designed for U8–U10. Adjust pitch size, ball size and numbers to suit your squad if they sit outside this range.
How many players do I need for 5v5 Defending Basics?
This session works well with around 10 players. With fewer, reduce group sizes or rotate players through the blocks; with more, run extra stations so everyone stays active.
How long does 5v5 Defending Basics take?
Allow around 30 min in total for this session, including the warm-up and main blocks.
What does 5v5 Defending Basics focus on?
A 30-minute introduction to defending for U8–U9 squads. Shadow defending, goal-side awareness, and the basics.