Back Door Block

Objective

• -Stop crosses from wide areas
• -Protect the far post
• -Clear the danger first time

Setup

1. 1Mark a wide channel on one side and a small goal or target zone in the box.
2. 2Use attackers in the wide channel and defenders inside the box.
3. 3Keep spare balls with the coach for repeated deliveries.

How to play

1. 1An attacker in the wide channel serves or dribbles towards the box.
2. 2Defenders track runners, cover the far post and attack the ball.
3. 3Attackers try to finish from the cross or cut-back.
4. 4If the defenders win it, they clear to the coach or a target cone.
5. 5Swap roles after a set of deliveries.

Progressions

• +Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
• +Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
• +Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
• -Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
• -Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
• -Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
• -Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
• -Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
• -Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
• -Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
• -Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Watching the ball only
• -Leaving the far post free
• -Backing off the cross too much