Underload 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. 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat cone.
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 attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
5. 5Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.

Progressions

• +Add a second extra defender
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Even the numbers up again
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Attackers get one 'free pass' per round they can call
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Tackling from behind
• -Running alongside instead of ahead
• -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early