All Drills

Compact Defensive Shape

defending intermediate U12 U14 U16+ Adult

15

Minutes

6+

Players

2

Items

Objective

Maintain a compact, organised defensive unit that shifts together as the ball moves.

Equipment

Instructions

  1. 1

    Set up a 30x20 yard zone. Defenders form a flat back four.

  2. 2

    Coach or attackers circulate the ball wide and central.

  3. 3

    Defenders must shift as a unit — nearest player presses, rest cover and hold compactness.

  4. 4

    Attackers score by slipping a pass through the defensive line.

  5. 5

    Rotate attackers every 5 minutes.

Coaching Points

Variations

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