Pressure Recovery Run Defending

Objective

• -Recover goal-side at speed
• -Defend while running towards your own goal
• -Decide between tackling and shepherding

Setup

1. 1A long approach to goal with a defender start cone behind the attacker in a 38 x 26 yards area.
2. 2Position a recovering defender behind each working player, starting two yards back.
3. 3Balls with the attackers, keeper in goal.

How to play

1. 1Attacker starts five yards ahead and runs at goal.
2. 2Defender recovers, gets goal-side and forces the attacker wide.
3. 3The rep ends with a shot, a tackle or the ball out of play.
4. 4The defender is released the moment the ball leaves the server's foot.
5. 5The working player scores by completing the action before pressure arrives; the defender scores by blocking it.

Progressions

• +Defender starts level rather than behind
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Defender presses at jogging pace only
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two defenders alternate so pressure is constant
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Tackling from behind
• -Running alongside instead of ahead
• -Facing your own goal and getting trapped by the press