Continuous Back Four Slide

Objectives

• -Coach the defensive line sliding across together
• -Maintain distances between defenders
• -Cover and balance behind the pressing player

How to set it up

1. 1Mark out the working area at 46 x 36 yards. Put a cone on each corner so the boundary is obvious to the players.
2. 2A back line facing three attacking stations across the pitch in a 46 x 36 yards area.
3. 3Load a ball at each starting station so the next rep can begin immediately.
4. 4Balls at each attacking station, bibs for the defensive unit.
5. 5Place the goals before you start and check the run-off behind them is clear and safe.
6. 6Kit for this practice: Balls, Cones, Bibs, Full Goals. Keep a supply of spare balls beside the coach so a lost ball never stops the practice.
7. 7Split 8-18 players into two or three even groups. Run two stations side by side if you have the space, so lines never grow beyond four players.
8. 8Set the area up before the players arrive, then walk them through the shape once at a jog before the first live repetition.

How to run it, step by step

1. 1Get the players into position and walk the first repetition through slowly so everybody knows where they start and where they go.
2. 2Ball is switched between attacking stations and the line slides across.
3. 3The nearest defender presses while the others tuck in and cover.
4. 4Freeze the picture occasionally to check distances.
5. 5As soon as one sequence ends, the next server plays in without waiting.
6. 6Run 4-minute blocks and count total completed sequences as a squad score.
7. 7After their action each player follows their pass and joins the back of the next line, so everybody rotates through every position in the practice.
8. 8Every repetition finishes with a strike at goal. As soon as the ball leaves the striker's foot the next player starts, so the practice keeps flowing.
9. 9Freeze the practice once or twice per round, make one coaching point to the whole group, then restart immediately.

What each player does

Working player

Takes the repetition: receives, executes the defending action and finishes the sequence at match pace.

Server

Delivers a consistent, firm ball on the coach's call, then collects a spare ball ready for the next repetition.

Defender

Starts passive and builds to full pressure, staying side on and forcing the working player into their weaker side.

Goalkeeper

Sets before every strike, works the save, then distributes to restart the next attack rather than kicking the ball away.

Waiting players

Stand behind the start cone with a ball ready, watch the repetition in front of them and step in the moment it finishes.

Coach

Stands where the whole picture is visible, serves or calls the start, and makes one clear point per freeze.

Timings and organisation

• -Run 5 rounds of roughly 4 minutes inside the 20 minute slot.
• -Give 45-60 seconds of rest between rounds so the quality of the work stays high, and use that gap for your coaching point.
• -Rotate roles at the end of every round so each player works, serves and defends across the practice.
• -If the practice is too easy, move to a progression rather than adding more repetitions. If players are struggling, drop to a regression for one round and then build back up.

Common mistakes

• -One defender flying out alone
• -Line stretching across the pitch
• -Long queues while balls are collected
• -Standing still and watching instead of moving into the next position