Zonal Defending

“ZONAL DEFENDING”   Performed  Perform ed by Roberto Roberto Lopez, Lopez, US Soccer Soccer Nato!a" Nato!a" Staff #oac$, #oac$, Re%o! Re%o! II   Se&&o! performe performed d o! t$e 'ra!&y" 'ra!&y"(a!a (a!a U!(er&ty U!(er&ty )e!*& )e!*& Soccer Fe"d  Fe"d   Se&&o! co!d+cte co!d+cted d t$ Le-!%to! Le-!%to! Footba"" Footba"" #"+b U./0 1oy*& 1oy*& 'ea eam m 2Se&&o! doc+me!ted by Fra! 3+"a&, Drector of #oac$ a!d P"ayer De(e"opme!t,  3e!t+c4yy 5o  3e!t+c4 5o+t$ Soccer Soccer A&&ocato! A&&ocato!66

#oac$ Roberto Lopez ta4e& a mome!t to &pea4 t$ t$e L7F7# U./0 1oy& 'eam Pror to t$e 'ra!!% Se&&o! 8arm.Up  – Players pass and move in pairs in the 18-yard box. 8arm.Up 8arm.Up P$a&e 9:  – players pass in pairs. After a few passes, one player decides to stop the ball with the sole of their foot • and their partner sprints to touch the ball with their foot as soon as possible. After a few passes, one player decides to allow the ball to go through their legs. • nce the ball goes through the player!s legs, that same player attempts to turn. "hat player!s partner sprints #uic$ly to close the distance to deny the turn. #oac$!% Po!t& %uic$ reactions • &lose the space as the 1st defender as #uic$ as possible •

 )atc$ Re"ated Act(ty 9/  Set.+p – two groups of ' in a space 1( yards by 1( yards. )ach group divided into * groups of +, in each side of the grid. see A/0A 2*3

 E-p"a!ato! ;  one blue player plays the ball to one of the red players on the opposite side of the grid. 4hen the ball is played, the player who plays it enters the field of play to become one defender and another blue player from the other side also enters the grid to  become the second defender. "he red player who receives the ball from the blue player  becomes the first attac$er and another red player enters the field of play from the other side of the field. A goal is scored when one team penetrates the opponent!s goal line via a dribble. see A/0A 2+3

#oac$!% Po!t& Pressure on the ball is of utmost importance, with the proper positioning of the • *nd, or covering defender being e#ually important to the integrity of the defensive effort Players should not cross in front of one of their teammate!s path while defending. • "his eliminates 5ball-chasing6 and encourages passing players off to create an affect similar to a 5piston6 – when one player drops in behind, another steps-up to  pressure.

 )atc$ Re"ated Act(ty 9:  Set.Up – in a space approximately +( yards wide by *7 yards long, players play ( vs. (  field players 9 1 goal$eeper per team3. )ach team attac$s three goals and defends three goals. see iagram 23

 E-p"a!ato! – field players play  vs.  in the field of play. /oals are awarded for a goal scored by penetrating one of the opponents three small goals. "he goal$eeper attempts to deny the opponent from penetrating one of the small goals. A goal is also awarded if the goal$eeper ma$es a save and distributes the ball through one of the opponent!s goals with his hands. #oac$!% Po!t& Players must maintain a shape within their teams that allows them constantly have •  pressure on the ball and defend from left to right Players must be aware of their defensive shape in transition so as not to get • countered against

 )atc$ #o!dto! Act(ty

 Set.Up – each team has 8 field players and 1 goal$eeper. /oal$eepers are placed in the 56 arc at the top of the 18-yard box.  E-p"a!ato! – teams play a game of soccer where the ob:ective is to serve a ball in the air to the other team!s goal$eeper who is inside the 56 arc. #oac$!% Po!t& Apply proper pressure on the ball to deny the long penetrating pass • ;e organi