2v2 cover and balance
Two defenders against two attackers. One presses the ball, the other covers behind at an angle, and they swap jobs every time the ball moves.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- 20 x 15 m with an end line to defend.
- Pairs queue at each end.
Equipment: Cones, balls, bibs
How it works
- Attackers try to dribble over the end line.
- Defenders win it and pass to the coach: one point.
- Next pair goes.
Coaching points
- Ball moves, both defenders move.
- Cover at a diagonal, close enough to help, far enough to see both.
- Talk: 'I've got ball', 'you're covered'.
Formations this drill suits
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Attackers can't pass back
Make it harder
- 3v3 with a third defender as balance
- Attackers score through two small gates
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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More defending drills
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See the drill โBack line shifting with the ball
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See the drill โDefending crosses in the box
Wide players cross from both sides while two or three defenders and the keeper deal with two attackers in the box. Teaches body position, marking and clearing wide.
See the drill โRecovery runs: get goal-side
The attacker gets a head start and the defender must recover goal-side before they can shoot. Teaches the sprint back that turns a chance into a tackle.
See the drill โJockeying in pairs
The attacker dribbles slowly from side to side down a channel and the defender jockeys backwards, staying side-on and close. Builds the footwork for 1v1 defending without the pressure of a tackle.
See the drill โDefend the gates (3v3)
Attackers score by dribbling through one of three gates on the end line; defenders must work together to protect them. Teaches pressure, cover and balance as a unit of three.
See the drill โ