Soccer drill: zone defense

Suitable for the following techniques: defense , positional play

Zone defense

Distances: pawns 2 meters apart. T= TRAINER.CV= central defender.Blue is defense.Red is offense.Explanation:Box 1
  • Trainer plays ball in to A, the closest man in this case, the CV, step forward to put pressure on player with ball.
  • We see a gap created where there is space for the 2 attackers to run in. See the arrows from B&C.
Box 2
  • Here we see the solution to cover this running line.
  • The moment the defender steps in on the player with the ball, the other players step 1 meter to the middle to close the gap. In this way, no play can be made between them.
  • The defender facing the attacker who gets the ball steps forward. The rest must slide inside.
Explanation to players:
  • You explain that red are the attackers and blue are the defenders.
  • You start in the starting lineup and play attacker A.
  • You ask the players; what should the defense do now? Correct answer: opposing defender puts pressure on the man with the ball. Make sure the rest stay put.
  • You ask the players; what is created now? Correct answer: space/ running line for the attackers to dive in. Demonstrate this by running one of the attackers into this gap.
  • You now ask the players; how can they avoid this? Correct answer: all step in slightly. In this case exactly between the pawns.
Exercise:
  • Ball at trainer is always back to beginning lineup.
  • Initial exercise is passive, trainer plays to 1 attacker, the defenders take their steps, ball back to trainer.
  • Then then play other attacker. Do about 5 minutes until defenders do their job.
  • If it goes well quickly, you can make it harder just by increasing the ball pace.
  • One step further is to allow the attackers to pass the ball among themselves and not just to the trainer.
  • Then switch the attackers and defenders and do the same thing again. Both for about 10 minutes.

Characteristics of the drill

4
10
Necessary materials:
1
8
Suitable for the following levels:
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17
U18
U19
U20
U21
U22
Seniors