Defending, Small-Sided Games · U9+
Two pairs play 2v2 in an area of about 16 × 24 metres. At each end there is an end line and a cover line 8 metres in front of it. A pair scores when they dribble the ball over the opponent’s end line or pass to a team-mate who takes it under control behind the line. For the defending pair, the second player must be on their own cover line or behind it. One player presses the player on the ball, the other provides cover. Together, the two players may not go to the ball. The covering player can step up from the line once they cut out the pass or win the ball from an attacker who has beaten the presser. Then the other defender immediately runs behind the line. In the diagram, red 1 presses the player on the ball from the inside and guides them towards the touchline. Red 2 is on the line, diagonally behind. When the blue team passes to the other side, red 1 moves to press the new player on the ball as the ball is still travelling, and red 2 slides along the line to stay behind him. The pair moves together. Blue 1 runs behind the presser’s back, but red 2 reads the pass and intercepts it. After winning possession, the reds attack immediately towards the blue end line. The nearest blue presses straight away, and the other blue runs back behind their own cover line. Now the blues defend in the same way. When blue 1 wins the ball on the side, only red 2 manages to get back onto the line. The blues play 2v1. Blue 1 pulls red 2 towards them and passes into the run for blue 2, who dribbles the ball over the end line. Play 1–2 minute bouts. If there are more than four players, set up multiple pitches side by side or rotate pairs between bouts.
The presser closes quickly as the ball is played and slows down at arm’s length. They come from the inside in a side-on stance and guide the player on the ball to the side. The cover player stands on the line diagonally behind the presser on the inside, and slides along the line towards the ball as the ball switches sides. The cover player watches the ball and also the run behind the presser. When the pass is played to the runner, they cut it out. The pressing intensifies when the player on the ball takes a poor touch, receives a slow pass, or is facing away from the direction of play. After a loss of possession, the nearest presser goes straight away, while the other player runs back behind their own cover line.
From what angle do you press when you want to guide the player on the ball to the side? Where does the cover player move when the ball switches sides, and why? How do you recognise that the pass is coming behind the presser? After a loss of possession, which of you presses and which one returns to the line?
2v2 with cover line is a football drill on TacticsBoard. Category: Defending, Small-Sided Games. Age group: U9+. Browse more football drills or create your own for free.