Team Shape

Compact Defensive Shape

Hold a compact defensive block

Team Shape

Defending

Pressing

Premium

Compact Defensive Shape is a 18-minute team shape drill for 8-20 players, suitable for Under 11 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Team Shape

Defending

Pressing

Skill Practice

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Minimal Equipment

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Duration

18 min

Players

8-20

Pitch size

Half pitch

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Objectives

-Hold a compact defensive block
-Shift together with the ball
-Stay connected between the lines

Setup

1Defensive unit in shape across the half pitch.
2Six servers positioned around the outside.
3Cones marking the maximum width and depth of the block.

Coaching instructions

1Servers move the ball around the outside while the block shifts.
2On a pass inside, the nearest player presses and others cover.
3Two minute sets with feedback between.

Coaching points

-Ball side compact, far side tucked in
-Keep the lines within twelve yards
-Move as the ball travels

Common mistakes

-Far side players staying wide
-Lines splitting apart
-Slow shifting

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

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