Gafferbook
Defending ยท U9 to adult

Recovery 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.

U9 to adultAges
6 to 16 plus a keeperPlayers
30 x 25 m to goalArea
10 to 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

  • Attacker starts 25 metres out with a ball; defender starts 5 metres behind them.
  • Keeper in goal.

Equipment: Goal, cones, balls

How it works

  1. On the whistle, attacker drives at goal.
  2. Defender sprints back on the inside line, between the ball and the goal.
  3. Defender gets goal-side then shows the attacker wide or tackles.

Coaching points

  • Recover on the inside line, not straight at the ball.
  • Get goal-side first, then turn to face.
  • Don't tackle from behind: get in front.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Defender starts closer

Make it harder

  • Bigger head start
  • Second attacker arriving

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

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