Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve each player’s defensive technique by high pressurizing their opponents.
Field Preparation Corner of Field Cones or Flag poles Supply of Balls Colored Bibs
Coaching Pointers:Progression from High Pressure Defending 2
Make a grid extending from the six yard box as shown in the diagram above. Divide the players into 2 groups, 1 group of defenders and 1 group of attackers. Identify groups by using colored bibs. Add a goalkeeper and forward inside the penalty area.
The defenders (yellow) are divided into 2 groups and are positioned diagonally opposite each other. The attackers (red) are divided into groups of four and are positioned at the corner of the grid.
The play starts with one of the 4 attackers playing a diagonal ball towards the opposite corner flag. The attackers cannot move until the defender touches the ball. As soon as the yellow defenders have the ball they must attempt to get four passes before then try and get to the end of the grid with possession of the ball. If they do, they score 3 points.
After the defenders make a minimum of four passes they can also score 3 points by chipping or lofting the ball to the goalkeepers hands at the end of the grid.
The primary objective of the practice is for the 2 attackers to
go full out and try to win the ball and play a cross to the forward in the penalty area who must try and score.
The forward is limited to a maximum of three touches.
If the forward scores using "one touch" they get 3 points.
If the forward scores using "two touches" they get 2 points.
If the forward scores using "three touches" they get 1 point.
If they force the ball out over the end line they get 2 points.
If they force a "throw" in they get 1 point.
Continue play on throw-ins and have attackers mark up quickly.
You can also add a trailing attacker who can only come into the grid when the attackers win the ball. His purpose is to look for the ball played back and cross the ball "first time" to the forward in the penalty area.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Close the ball down as quickly as possible.
When defending, bend the knees and keep the body low. (don't stand tall, stand small). This position
enables the legs to be "spring loaded" to change direction quickly.
Leg position should be with one leg behind the other.
Pivot using the back foot when changing direction from side to side.
Keep the upper torso forward, this is crucial for changing direction from a backwards to forwards position quickly.
Squeeze the defenders against the end-line or side-line. This will reduce the amount of space they have to play in and minimize the time they have on the ball.
