Gafferbook
Defending ยท U11 to adult

Back three: cover and slide

A back three slides across as the ball moves wide, keeping one pressing, one covering and one balancing. The defensive building block for back-three formations.

U11 to adultAges
3 to 6 defenders plus attackersPlayers
Half pitchArea
15 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Back three across the pitch.
  • Coach or attackers move the ball between wide and central positions.

Equipment: Cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Ball goes wide: nearest centre-back (or wing-back) presses, middle covers, far one tucks in.
  2. Ball goes central: the middle presses, the others cover.
  3. Add live attackers to test it.

Coaching points

  • Distances: 10 to 15 metres between the three.
  • Slide together as the ball travels.
  • Far defender tucks in to protect the goal.

Formations this drill suits

3-2-1 (7v7) drills3-1-2 (7v7) drills3-3-2 (9v9) drills3-2-3 (9v9) drills3-4-1 (9v9) drills3-5-2 (11v11) drills3-4-3 (11v11) drills

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Walk-through

Make it harder

  • Three attackers v three defenders

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

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Back line shifting with the ball

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