By Mike Smith
One of the most basic principles to follow for success on the soccer field is “keep everything in front of you”. When defending using Pressure and Cover, keeping everything in front means not getting split. Just the act of not getting split alone allows for the delay most teams need to recover defensively, whether the defenders actually disrupt the ball or not. This session helps focus defenders on the foundational defensive principal of not getting split.
Lesson 1
4 v 2
Set Up
Create 3 10 x 15 yd grids ( as shown ). Two defenders work in the central grid, with two attackers in each of the outer grids. Players must stay in their grids. The idea is for the attackers to try and “score” by splitting the defenders with a pass. The defenders only goal is to not allow the attackers to split them. The defenders should also be aware of the amount of time they make the attackers hold the ball in their zone. The longer they can, the longer they have delayed the attack. Attackers may work the ball around the defenders but it does not count as a score. IF the defenders win the ball, they switch with the team they intercepted.
Coaching Points
Position and Communication are the defensive goals here. The coach should encourage the defenders to focus less on the ball and more on the space and angles they can control with their positioning. IF the coach wishes to make this activity more competitive, they may award points for every 5 seconds the defenders do not allow a split and rotate teams every 2 or 3 minutes.
Lesson 2
Get Them in Front of Goal
Set Up
3 defenders plus the keeper work against 4 attackers, 1 attacker inside the penalty box with the defenders and 3 on the edges of the penalty box. The only player who can score is the attacker inside the penalty box. The attackers outside the box must keep the ball moving and are trying to create service opportunities on frame, between the 3 defenders. The defenders should clear any balls they come in contact with.
Coaching Points
This is a bigger version of the initial drill. The idea is to use Pressure, Cover and Balance to control the space between the defenders, i.e. not get split. The coach should focus on how the defenders control space first and then account for marking the lone attacker. Still, the idea is not to get sucked out of position by marking which could expose space for the combinations needed to break down a tight defense.
Lesson 3
Add Players
Set Up
4 defenders against 6 attackers is something which happens multiple times in every soccer match. Add a defender and an attacker to the box. As the drill progresses allow attackers from the outside to switch out fluidly with those on the inside as long as there are never more than 2 attackers active inside the penalty box.
By Mike Smith
Currently the Head Coach for University Heights Academy Boys Soccer in Hopkinsville, KY , Mike is in his 14th year as a high school head coach with 23 years coaching experience overall and 34 year as a student and fan of the game. He holds a USSF D License.
