Defending

Continuous Delay and Show

Coach the approach and set position of the defender

Defending
Tackling
Pressing
Premium

Coach the approach and set position of the defender. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.

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Defending
Tackling
Pressing
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Goals Needed
Repetition

Age

Under 8 to Adults

Duration

16 min

Players

4-16

Area / pitch size

26 x 18 yards

Difficulty

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Equipment

Balls, Cones, Mini Goals

Coaching focus

Coach the approach and set position of the defender

Objective

  • -Coach the approach and set position of the defender
  • -Show the attacker into the least dangerous area
  • -Win the ball at the right moment

Setup

  1. 1A defending channel with two mini goals to protect in a 26 x 18 yards area.
  2. 2Load a ball at each starting station so the next rep can begin immediately.
  3. 3Balls with the attackers, bibs for defenders.

How to play

  1. 1Attacker drives at the defender who must delay and show one way.
  2. 2The defender wins a point for forcing the attacker wide or winning the ball.
  3. 3Swap roles after each duel.
  4. 4As soon as one sequence ends, the next server plays in without waiting.
  5. 5Run 4-minute blocks and count total completed sequences as a squad score.

Coaching points

  • -Close the space quickly, then slow down
  • -Side-on with the low centre of gravity
  • -Patience before the tackle
  • -Reset fast — the value is in the volume of good reps

Progressions

  • +Add a second ball into the rotation
  • +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

  • -Pause 15 seconds between reps to reset positions
  • -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

  • -Split into two competing halves and compare block totals
  • -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

  • -Sprinting straight through the attacker
  • -Standing square and getting spun
  • -Long queues while balls are collected

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