Defending, Transitions · U9+
The area is about 14 × 24 metres and is split into three parts. At the bottom is a 2v2 zone, in the middle is a breakthrough zone, and at the top is the goalkeeper’s area. On the end line of that zone there are two small goals. In the 2v2 zone, two blue players keep the ball and two red players press as a pair. In the breakthrough zone, one blue defender waits. The reds’ job is to win the ball. One player presses the player on the ball, the other covers from the inside, reads the next pass, and positions to block the passing lane. After winning possession, the reds go straight into the breakthrough: 2v1 against the blue defender and finishing into either small goal. Blue 1 and 2 must not go beyond the 2v2 zone. Blue 3 stays in the breakthrough zone, and the goalkeeper stays in their area. In the diagram, red 2 presses during the pass. When the ball comes back, the roles switch. When blue 1 tries to turn the play back, red 2 intercepts the pass. Red 2 dribbles into the breakthrough zone, draws blue 3 towards them, and passes to red 1, who shoots into the left small goal. Switch roles every few repetitions so everyone gets to press, defend the breakthrough, and finish. For the blues, you can award a point for, for example, five consecutive passes in the 2v2 zone.
The presser closes in during the pass and slows to within an arm’s length in a side-on stance. The cover player stands on the inside, diagonally behind the presser, and tracks both the ball and the next passing lane. As the pass is played, the roles switch: the cover player becomes the presser and the presser drops to cover. The press gets stronger when the player on the ball is facing away from goal, takes a poor first touch, or receives a long, slow pass. After winning possession, the first touch plays the ball forward into the breakthrough zone, and the supporting player runs wide. The player on the ball dribbles towards the defender and passes when the defender commits to them.
How do you recognise that now is the time to press hard? Where does the cover player position themselves so they can cut out the next pass? What do you do first when you win the ball? When do you play the pass in the breakthrough, and when do you dribble yourself?
2v2 pressing and breakthrough is a football drill on TacticsBoard. Category: Defending, Transitions. Age group: U9+. Browse more football drills or create your own for free.