How to defend a lead

I don’t know about your team, but I can imagine that like mine yours is involved in many games where the score is tight. Standing on the touchline you can feel the pressure on the players who are desperate to hold on to a lead.

These are the sessions I use with my players to give them the tactics and the confidence to keep the game in their favour:

One of the best ways to do this is to create a scenario that your players have to act out. This one is my favourite… Your team is 1-0 up but your opponents have a two-man advantage. One nil up two men down is a game to teach each team the importance of setting out the tactics to hold on to a lead – give your players ownership of the game and watch them work out their own tactics.

Tactics are a vital part of game management whether you are hanging onto a lead or need to score because you are losing. Half time is usually a great moment to get across your thoughts and to give the team the confidence to hang onto a lead, read my advice on How half time tactics can make all the difference.

Taking control of the game means making sure all your players are committed for the full match and don’t take their foot off the gas. They need to be first to every ball. Win the ball is a great session to get them focused and gives them the confidence to see the game out.

For the older age groups you also need to get them focused on winning balls in the air when the opposition are desperate to score a goal and will try any means possible to break your team’s resolve. Win the first header is a fantastic way to get players to make sure they are not sitting back and inviting their opponents to come at them. You want them to Win the first header and take control of the game.

Win the first header

in Heading, Tactics

This game is all about winning the first header and directing it to your team-mate. If your players can get control of the ball in the air then it makes it easier to repel opponents and start an attack. MORE

Win the ball

in Defending, Tactics

This session is all about staying calm when under attack and reading the through ball. As this game progresses good tackling is needed as the danger changes. MORE

One nil up, two men down

in Tactics, Tips and advice

Your team is 1-0 up but your opponents have a two-man advantage. A game to teach each team the importance of setting out the tactics to hold on to a lead. MORE

How Half-Time Tactics Can Make All The Difference

in Attacking, Team Management

It’s a tough call. The half-time whistle sounds and you’re leading 1-0. You need those three points. The dilemma confronting you is do you try to keep things tight and hold onto your lead, or do you press on for more goals and a convincing win? MORE