DEFENSIVE SHAPE – Pressure, Cover & Balance
by Jeff Fleischmann
Objective:-Improve the teams’ ability to defend in groups and as a team. 16-18 players.
1) Warm up – (5-10 min.) 1 v 1 defending – pressure defender.
Set up a box with the size based on the number of players and age/skill level. Half the players move around outside the box without a ball and half the players dribble around inside the box with a ball. Players in the box pass to a player outside the box and go out to defend that player. Receiving player tries to dribble into the box through the side the ball was passed out. Passing player tries to defend the attempt. After each confrontation, players switch in and out of the box.
Coaching Points:
a. Proper passing technique.
b. Defending player should close gap quickly, slow down at close distance (arm’s length), lower center of gravity
bending knees.
*PROGRESSION – Tactical calls by coach of angled approaches (“pressure left, delay, etc.”).
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2) Small Sided Game – (15-20 min.) 2 v 2 small group defending – pressure, cover.
Set up two small goals opposite each other with size based on age/skill level. One offensive player makes run into the grid to receive pass at halfway point, passing player joins play. Defenders enter grid after pass. Goal is scored by dribbling through goals. Defending team can score as well if they win ball. Teams switch roles after goal or if ball leaves grid.
Coaching Points:
a. Closer player applies pressure. “I got ball”. Try to not allow player to turn and force player towards support.
b. Cover defender determines pressure angle and demands “pressure left or right”. Use sidelines as defenders. Try to
force player to support side or to pass back.
c. Supporting defender should not be caught flat.
d. Defenders switch roles as needed, i.e. after switch by possession team.
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3) Expanded Game – (20-25 min.) 4 v 4 small group defending – pressure, cover, balance.
Set up a four goal game with in a rectangular grid with size based on age/skill level. Team in possession plays with 4 players, while defending team uses 3, with 1 player dropping out or entering grid based on possession. Game is same as before with players scoring by dribbling through goals.
Coaching Points:
a. Same techniques as above with emphasis on shape.
b. Communication between defenders. Do not allow “split”.
c. Patient defending, remain compact. Make play “predictable”. Force towards support or back.
d. Supporting defenders must use peripheral vision “head on a swivel” to avoid weak side runs.
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4) Game – (20-25 min.) 7 v 7 or 8 v 8 plus keepers and full sized goals. Team defending – pressure, cover, balance.
Field size is based on age/skill level. All rules apply.
Coaching Points:
a. Defending team holds shape and remains compact by dropping and shifting with ball.
b. Determine “Line of Confrontation” based on situation, i.e. winning or losing.
c. Defending team channels play to the flanks and try to keep ball in front of them.
d. Determine correct time to double and win ball based on shape.
5) Cool Down – (5-10 min.) Light jogging and stretching
