Movements for the 4-man defensive line with lateral ball
Goal
Equipment
- Balls
- Cones
Preparation
- Playing Area: half field
- Players: 10 + 1 goalkeeper
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Series: 3 of 6 minutes each with 1 minute of recovery between sets
| Summary | Secondary Objectives |
|---|---|
|
Educational drill for 4-man defensive line and lateral ball management |
Goal defense, Zonal defending, Defense of the penalty area, Defensive positioning of a player based on teammates positioning, Body positioning, Feet positioning, Run to support player in possession, Coverage on the dangerous areas, Read the intentions |
Organization
Use a regulatory half of the field for the exercise. At the edge of the penalty area arrange four defenders in a line. In front of the defenders, near midfield, place four opponents, each with a ball. Near each sideline, another opposing player is placed with a ball. In front of each side player, near the end line, place a cone. A goalkeeper defends the goal. The coach stands on the outside of the field beside the goal.
Description
- The coach calls the name of one of the four offensive players placed near the halfway line
- The player called moves or drives the ball and consequently the defensive 4-line also shortens, backs, and moves according to the ball (red arrows in the picture); the goalkeeper also goes along with the movements of the defensive line
- At a later time, the coach calls the name of one of the players placed near the side lines
- The named player drives the ball toward the cone in front of them; having reached the cone they will return in conduction to the starting point
- At the time of the second call by the coach, the defensive line will absorb with the principle "one out and three in" the side ball (yellow arrows in the picture); again, the goalkeeper will go along with the movements of the defensive line
Rules
- Maintain distances between players when forming the defensive line and/or forming coverage shapes
- Handle the side ball with the principle of "one out and three in" to cover the goal space
Variations
- Also add the line of midfielders so as to work with two defensive units
- Increase the distance from the goal
Coaching Points
- Pay attention to the orientation of the body
- Pay attention to the timing of movement of the defensive line
- Manage the spaces used by defenders to cover the goal from the side ball
- Control that the goalkeeper accompanies the movements of the defensive line
Difficulty:
Typology:
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