Drills / Team practice

2v2: pressure and cover

Two defenders work as a pair. The nearest goes to the ball. The other drops in behind at an angle, ready if the first is beaten.

Players
Groups of 4
Space
20 × 15 m per group
Kit
1 ball, 6 cones per group
Time
15 minutes
Age
Under-9s and older
PRESSURECOVER12DD
  • Us
  • Them
  • Pass
  • Run
  • Dribble

Set up

  • Mark a 20 × 15 m box with a 3 m cone gate at each end.
  • Two attackers at one end with the ball, two defenders at the other.

How it works

  1. A defender passes to the attackers to start.
  2. Attackers score by dribbling through the far gate.
  3. Defenders score by winning it and passing through the other gate.
  4. Swap roles after every three goes.

What to work on

  • First defender, "pressure": close down quickly, slow down as you arrive, and show them one way.
  • Second defender, "cover": a few metres behind and to the side, so you can see the ball and the other attacker.
  • Talk: "I've got ball", "I'm behind you".
  • When the ball is passed, swap jobs. The new nearest player presses.

Easier

A bigger box gives the defenders more time to get into position.

Harder

3v2, so the defenders have to choose who to leave.

Skills this works on: jockeying. Each one has a close-up drawing of the feet.

Especially good for: centre-back.

Planning a whole session? The session planner builds one around this kind of practice.

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