Back Four Defensive Behaviour

Pitch: Play takes place on one half of the pitch towards a full-size goal. Red cones in two staggered rows mark the reference points of the back four for the defensive shifting and the rest defence, they can be left out at an advanced level. The three attackers each get a cone as a starting position, two of them on the wings and one in the centre.

Equipment: Cones in two colours, bibs, balls, 1 goal.

Players: The game is played 3 vs 4 plus goalkeeper. For younger age groups the pitch size can be adapted to a small pitch or a reduced full-size pitch.

• The attacking team plays with a numerical disadvantage and tries, by standing very wide and occupying the centre, to move the defence with quick passes and switches of play and to provoke gaps.
• The defending team takes its bearings from the cones and, with balls out to the wings, shifts across to the side in the form of the defensive pendulum; in the centre it moves into the middle.
• If the attacking players see that the defence cannot take up its positions in time, they attack down the wings and look for a goal with firm crosses.

Variations:

• Set up counter-attack goals in order to create transition moments, and count the points.

Organisation: Give the attacking players as little freedom as possible, for example by not allowing them to leave the wings and by allowing the central player to attack through the middle only alone. The drill is primarily designed for the defence.

Note: Drill idea by Eddie Plickat.