Four-lane defending

What this session is about

1. Delaying an attack.
2. Making play predictable.
3. Denying shooting opportunities.

What to think about

• Keep arm’s length from attacker.
• Bend knees.
• Slightly sideways-on body position.
• Weight on balls of feet to change direction quickly.
• Be patient.
• Force attacker sideways/onto weak foot/down the line.
• Only react to movement of the ball.
• If beaten cover the goalkeeper.

Set-up

Half a pitch with four channels running from the half way line to the edge of the penalty area.

What you get your players to do

Split players into 4 groups. Create 4 lanes approximately 5m wide, running from the half way line to the edge of the penalty box. Begin with a defender and several attackers in each lane.

The drill begins with the 1st attacker passing to and receiving the ball back from the defender. The attacker then dribbles at the retreating defender using an array of skills to unbalance them. The defender does not try to win the ball. After all 4 lanes have been, go back to “lane 1” and repeat with the next attacker.

Once the defenders have had a few attempts, make them switch lanes before rotating in new defenders.