Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 35: Defending on the Wing & Doubling Up

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

The training focus of this week is defending on the wing. In modern football, keeping the centre compact has a much higher priority than closing down the spaces on the wing. This approach is completely understandable, because defending the dangerous areas in front of goal should come first.

This development can be seen, for example, in formations out of possession. More and more coaches prefer systems such as a 3-5-2 or 4-1-2-1-2, in which the wings are only occupied by one player. Another sign of crowding the centre is how centre-backs behave. Whereas in the past the ball-side centre-back more often moved out to the wing to double up, today there is a tendency to prefer having an extra player in front of your own goal.

Nevertheless – or precisely because of all the space on the flanks – defending on the wing must not be neglected under any circumstances.

This week refreshes defending 1 vs 1 on the wing. The full-backs will learn to step out of the line at the right moment to engage the opponent. If the opposing winger has already built up high speed, players practise how to slow him down first.

Besides defending 1 vs 1, doubling up on the wing is also trained. Depending on the instructions and the formation, different double-up situations can arise on the wing. The full-back can face the opponent in a 2 vs 1 together with the ball-side centre-back, the winger or even a holding midfielder. Especially against very skilful and fast opponents, steering them towards a team-mate in the centre can be a helpful option.

If your team faces 2 or more opponents, it has to be prepared not only for dribbles but also for combinations between the opponents. Players learn to defend on the wing in a 2 vs 2 or even when outnumbered in a 2 vs 3.

Attacks down the wing often follow a switch of play. That is why the aim on the wing should not only be to win the ball but perhaps first to take the pace out of the attack. So it is important not to rush into a duel, otherwise the opponent can win a 1 vs 1 more easily or simply play the ball on to the next player and follow it. Because the defender was moving forward when trying to attack the ball, the opponent can follow his pass more quickly. This creates an overload. The player receiving the ball can simply lay it off to the player following up, while the bypassed defender first has to get back behind the ball and his opponent.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

Today's session is about defending 1 vs 1 on the wing and the full-back's positional play before passes out to the wing.

The full-back's behaviour before a pass out to the wing has a significant influence on the upcoming 1 vs 1, or can even prevent it. If an opposing holding midfielder has possession in the half-space and the wide midfielder shows for a pass on the flank, your own full-back must not act too hastily. If the full-back steps out of the line too early, this can create too large a gap between the ball-side centre-back and the full-back. This gap can be run into by the wide midfielder or a striker and played into by the holding midfielder. However, your own full-back should step out of the line at the latest as the pass to the wing is played. This means the wide midfielder has no time to pick up speed, or can even be forced into a first touch in a closed body position.

If a long square pass to the wide midfielder is on the cards, the full-back can anticipate it and intercept the pass. This avoids the 1 vs 1 and could create a promising counter-attacking situation. When anticipating, however, the right level of risk must be found, as the wide midfielder could also be played in with a high ball over the line.

If the opposition's winger has been successfully played in, your own full-back has to win the defending 1 vs 1. You can support your full-backs with the following pointers:

  • Close down immediately in order to keep the distance to your own goal as large as possible and to give the opponent no time to pick up speed. However, the speed should be adjusted to the opposition's winger in time so as not to be simply run past.
  • Once the distance has been closed, the full-back takes up a side-on position. The full-back is positioned offset to the inside of the opponent and shows the opponent the outside. The full-back also stays on the balls of their feet and lowers their centre of gravity. This means the full-back can pick up speed immediately if the opponent tries to break through.
  • If the opposition's winger has already picked up speed, they are slowed down by the full-back dropping off.
  • If the opponent tries to break through, the full-back picks up speed and gets their body between the ball and the opponent.
Coaching points for this session

Full-back positional play:

  • Do not step out of the line too early
  • On longer passes, it is possible to gamble on intercepting the pass

Defending 1 vs 1 on the wing:

  • Close the distance to the opponent immediately. Adjust the pace in good time
  • Show the opponent down the flank, stay on the balls of the feet and lower the centre of gravity
  • Slow the opponent down by dropping off
  • Get the body between ball and opponent if the opponent tries to break through
Drill 1

Coordination with the Ball

15 min
  • The players work through the ladders as instructed.
  • Then they dribble a ball through the course.
  • On the way back they put the ball down again in front of the agility ladder.

Exercises for the agility ladder:

  • Short, quick steps.
  • Two steps forwards, one step back.
  • In from the side and forwards with short steps.
  • Single-leg jumps.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Agility ladders next to each other, behind them a tall cone course.

Equipment: Agility ladders, tall cones and several balls.

Players: Two groups of equal size, which line up behind the ladders.

Coaching points
  • Work on the balls of the feet at the agility ladder.
  • Bring the hands along properly.
  • Keep the ball close in the course.
  • Dribble with both feet.
  • Look up from the ball.
Drill 2

1 vs 1 After a Pass from the Half-Pitch

20 minHalf a pitch
  • A pass is played from the yellow cone to the attacker, who takes the ball forward into the 1 vs 1.
  • The blue cone serves as a reference for the full-back, who steps out as the pass is played.
  • The defender blocks the inside lane, retreats slowly and steers the attacker towards the outside.
  • After winning the ball, the defender counters on the cone goal.
  • The attacker may only play forwards.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Red cones mark the pitch and the cone goals and limit the playing space towards the middle. Two yellow cones at the centre circle serve as starting points, two blue cones on the halfway line as a reference for the full-back.

Equipment: Cones in three colours, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: The attackers wait with the balls at the yellow starting cones, the defenders stand in their own bib colour at the sides and in front of the penalty area; there is also a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • The defender lowers the centre of gravity.
  • The defender takes up a position slightly offset to the inside of the attacker.
  • If the attacker tries to break through, the defender puts the body between the ball and the opponent.
Drill 3

1 vs 1 from Long Distance

20 minHalf a pitch
  • A 1 vs 1 from short distance begins.
  • The defender blocks the inside lane, retreats slowly and steers the attacker towards the outside.
  • After winning the ball, the defender counters towards the cone goal.

Note: The drill can be carried out from both sides at the same time.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones form the cone goals and limit the playing space towards the centre.

Equipment: Cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: One attacker and one defender each, positioned according to the graphic; plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • The defender keeps a low centre of gravity.
  • The defender works on the balls of the feet.
  • The defender closes down immediately and adjusts the pace in good time.
  • Optionally the defender uses defensive feints.
Drill 4

Reinforced Defensive Line against Equal Numbers (4 vs 2 against 4 vs 2)

20 min
  • The reinforced defensive line shifts across in the same way as a back four or a back three does in zonal defending.
  • It tries to prevent balls played in behind through the gaps between the defenders and to create an overload near the ball in order to win the ball in a 1 vs 2.
  • The attacking players try to pass through the gaps in the line or to combine their way through the defensive lines.
  • At first only ground passes are allowed.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: One goal.

Equipment: 1 goal and several balls.

Players: The players are split into 6 vs 6, plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • The defender nearest the ball pushes onto it, the rest cover in a staggered formation behind.
  • In the centre a defensive triangle is formed.
  • Out wide a sickle shape is formed.
  • As soon as the holding midfielder has been played past, the holding midfielder turns round to double up.
  • The goalkeeper also shifts across in line with the ball.
  • Demand communication between the defenders.
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Session 2

4 drills

The topic of today's training session is underload situations on the wing (1 vs 2, 2 vs 3). If your own team plays a formation with only one player on each flank, underloads on the wings can occur more often. Other possibilities are that the opponent overloads the wing depending on the situation, or that an underload has arisen after a switch of play.

However, in times of ball-orientated defending, underload situations usually last only a short time. The defender's first task is therefore to slow down the opposition's attack. It is important that the players who have been bypassed get back behind the ball quickly and turn the underload into equal numbers or an overload for the defending team.

In defending 1 vs 2 out wide, the attackers often resort to the overlapping run. If the opposing midfielder dribbles at your own full-back and another opponent starts an overlapping run at the same time, it is important not to act too aggressively. Because if the full-back attacks the ball, the overlapping player is played in and the flank is left open, as the full-back is still moving forwards. It is important that the full-back is even moving backwards when the overlapping player is played in. Only then can the pass be intercepted, or at least a chance of a duel be created.

In the 1 vs 2 with an overlapping player, the full-back should also position themselves offset to the inside of the player on the ball. This means the full-back can still engage the player on the ball if that player dribbles into the centre instead of playing in the overlapping player.

Coaching points for this session

Outnumbered on the wing:

  • Slow the attack down. Do not dive in.
  • Quickly create equal numbers or an overload.
  • At the moment of the overlap, be moving backwards. Position yourself inside the player on the ball, in case that player dribbles into the centre
  • Our holding midfielder joins in: holding midfielder picks up the player on the ball. Full-back shifts across towards the overlapping runner
Drill 1

Passing with Coordination II

15 min
  • The drill starts with passing using two touches.
  • The level of difficulty is then increased: a tennis ball comes into play.
  • Player 1 passes the football, Player 2 throws the tennis ball at the same time.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the positions; the distance depends on the ability level of the players.

Equipment: Cones, footballs and tennis balls.

Players: Two players per station.

Coaching points
  • Make sure that the players drop back slightly again after every pass in order to move towards the next pass.
  • If the players carry out the task, demand a higher tempo in the passing.
Drill 2

Overlapping Runs in the Wide Zone

30 minHalf a pitch
  • The game is played freely.
  • As soon as the ball is played to a player in a wide zone, another attacker makes an overlapping run — ideally the passer.
  • In this way attacking variations with overlapping runs or play through a third player are created. The defender in the wide zone becomes active in the process.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area and the wide zone; there are two goals at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams and goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Switch play quickly to the wings and create a numerical advantage there.
  • If a goal is scored after an overlapping run or play through a third player, there is an extra point.
Drill 3

3 vs 2 on the Wing

20 min30 x 10 metres on the wing
  • The game starts in the corridor with a 3 vs 2.
  • The aim of the three attackers is to deliver a cross into the penalty area from the level of the yellow cone onwards.
  • The two waiting attackers run into the penalty area with the cross and take it first time wherever possible.
  • If the two defenders win the ball, they try to dribble out of the corridor towards the halfway line.

Variations: Have the drill carried out on the other side of the pitch as well.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: On one wing a corridor of about 30 x 10 metres is marked out with cones, running from the halfway line to the goal line. On the corridor line facing the centre, a yellow cone marks the point from which crossing is allowed. The game is played on a full-size goal.

Equipment: Cones, one of them in a different colour, 1 goal, bibs in two colours, several balls.

Players: In the corridor three attackers play against two defenders. Two further attackers wait outside the corridor level with the penalty area, plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage to combine quickly or to dribble through.
  • The defenders defend the space, but also block the route to the cross.
  • Play the attacks out to the end quickly.
  • Dribble at the opponent decisively and tie opponents up.
Drill 4

Possession Game - 4+4 vs 4

20 min
  • Yellow and Red play together against Blue for possession.
  • If Blue wins the ball, the team of the player who caused the loss of possession switches to defending.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: The playing area is marked out with four cones.

Equipment: 4 cones and 1 ball.

Players: Three teams of four players each.

Coaching points
  • Use the full size of the playing area.
  • Constantly provide three passing options: left, right and central.
  • Demand communication.
  • Pass to the foot furthest from the opponent.

Session 3

4 drills

On the flank, different doubling-up situations can arise depending on the formation, the tactical instructions for the centre-backs and the match situation. The full-back doubles up with a centre-back, the ball-side holding midfielder, or the wide midfielder. This results in different forms of doubling up:

  • The centre-back provides cover staggered in depth, offset towards the centre. The full-back forces their opponent outside. As soon as the opponent picks up speed and pushes the ball ahead to break through, the centre-back moves in. The staggering in depth helps the centre-back to reach the ball or block a cross. When doubling up, however, it must be ensured that there are enough players in front of goal to be sufficiently covered in the event of a delivery.
  • If the full-back doubles up with the holding midfielder, the opponent is forced inside. The holding midfielder takes up a position in the centre, slightly staggered in depth. If the opponent goes for the breakthrough into the middle, the full-back puts them under pressure. The holding midfielder then waits for the right moment to attack the ball. When doubling up with the holding midfielder, 2 mistakes typically occur. The holding midfielder comes from the side, which means the opponent could dribble through the gap between the full-back and the holding midfielder. The 2nd typical mistake is the holding midfielder's staggering in depth being too great. This turns the 2 vs 1 into a 1 vs 1.
  • When doubling up with the wide midfielder, what matters is which foot the opponent is using to carry the ball. If the opposition's wide midfielder is dribbling with the outside foot, the full-back drops back and forces play outside. Your own wide midfielder attacks the ball from the outside. If, however, the opponent carries the ball with the inside foot and dribbles straight at the full-back, the wide midfielder runs directly at the ball. In both cases it is important that the full-back does not act too aggressively and instead tries to buy time so that the wide midfielder can get there to double up in the first place.
Coaching points for this session

Doubling up with the centre-back:

  • Show outside
  • CB covers in a staggered position in depth
  • CB closes the attacker down if they break through

Doubling up with the holding midfielder:

  • Show inside.
  • Holding midfielder covers in a slightly staggered position in depth in the centre.
  • Typical errors: holding midfielder comes from the side, and too much staggering in depth

Doubling up with the wide midfielder:

  • FB drops off and slows the opponent down
  • Opponent dribbles with the inside foot: wide midfielder attacks the ball directly
  • Opponent dribbles with the outside foot: wide midfielder attacks the ball from outside
Drill 1

Warm-Up Square II

15 min20 x 20 metres
  1. Light warm-up with the ball at the feet: the players keep moving at all times. On the coach's whistle, an outer cone is dribbled around briskly, after which it is back into the square.
  2. The players without a ball run towards the players with a ball and receive a pass. They play the ball back and run to the next player with a ball. The ball is played alternately with the right and with the left foot.
  3. The balls are thrown in from outside. Each cone colour has a function — red: right foot, blue: left foot, yellow: chest control, white: header out of the air.

Variations: Build various tasks into the dribbling at the start:

  • Dribble only with the left or only with the right foot and use all surfaces — sole, inside, outside and instep.
  • Alternating left outside, left inside, right outside, right inside.
  • Let the ball swing between the insides of the feet while moving forwards or backwards.
  • Carry out feints with a subsequent change of pace — step-over, scissors, lunge, shot feint.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the square, four further cones in different colours stand outside it.

Equipment: 8 cones and several balls.

Players: The whole group; in part 2, four players with a ball stand outside and four players without a ball are in the square.

Coaching points

Coaching Points

Build various tasks into the dribbling at the start:

  • Dribbling only with the left/right foot (taking in everything: sole, inside, outside and instep)
  • Alternating left outside, left inside, right outside, right inside
  • Swing the ball between the insides of the feet. Move forwards or backwards while doing so.
  • Carry out feints with a subsequent change of pace (step-over, scissors, lunge, shot feint)
Drill 2

Situational Doubling Up

20 minAs shown in the graphic
  • The full-back of the attacking side starts the drill with a pass to the wide forward.
  • The wide forward plays 1 vs 2 against the full-back and the wide midfielder.
  • The aim is to dribble through one of the cone goals.
  • The full-back and the wide midfielder play towards the small goal with a goalkeeper.

Variations: Have the drill carried out down both sides of the pitch.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three cones form the cone goals on one side, through which the attacker is to break. In front of the halfway line there is a mini goal with a goalkeeper.

Equipment: 1 mini goal, 3 cones and several balls.

Players: Two attackers and two defenders per run-through — the full-back and the wide midfielder against the wide forward; plus a goalkeeper. The two teams wear different bib colours.

Coaching points
  • The full-back doubles up together with the wide midfielder.
  • The full-back retreats and slows the opponent down.
  • If the opponent dribbles with the inside foot, the wide midfielder attacks the ball by the direct route.
  • If the opponent dribbles with the outside foot, the wide midfielder attacks the ball from the outside.
Drill 3

2 vs 2 on the Wing

25 min15 x 25 metres
  • In the marked area 2 vs 2 is played until a goal is scored.
  • The aim is to dribble through one of the two cone goals.
  • If the 2 vs 2 lasts longer than one to two minutes, or if a team has dribbled through a cone goal, the next two teams take their turn.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Red cones mark the playing area, yellow ones the dribbling gates.

Equipment: Cones in two colours and several balls.

Players: Several teams of two.

Drill 4

High Press on the Wing in 4 vs 4

25 min
  • The drill starts with the goalkeeper, who passes or throws the ball to the right centre-back.
  • This player passes the ball on to the left centre-back. This sequence is fixed; after that the game is free.
  • Blue 1 presses the left centre-back on a curved run in order to prevent a pass back to the right centre-back. This pressing angle allows Blue 2 to move into the centre and create a 4 vs 3 overload.
  • When the ball is won, a quick counter follows on the full-size goal with a finish. Yellow, for its part, plays towards the two mini goals.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A line of cones marks off the pitch diagonally from the penalty area to the halfway line. At one end there is the full-size goal with a goalkeeper, at the opposite end two mini goals level with the halfway line.

Equipment: 1 goal, 2 mini goals, cones and 1 ball.

Players: Two teams of four players each in their own colour of bibs, plus one goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Demand mutual coaching — pressure, get in, cut off.
  • Watch out for correct pressing angles: close down the passing lanes.
  • Blue 3 has to push out onto the full-back in good time, without opening up the passing lane in behind.
  • Whenever cover is in place, always go into the duel actively.
  • Watch out for correct defensive behaviour on the wing.
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