Exercises › Game exercise

2v2: pressure and cover

• 15 min
• 6–14 players
• 7v7
• 9v9
• 11v11
• Pressing & Regaining possession
• Defending against shots

A small-sided game where players defend in pairs against two opponents who try to combine and play through them. It trains switching between pressing and covering so the opponents cannot exploit the passing lines between the defenders. Mark out a pitch of about 30 × 20 metres with a medium-sized goal at each end and a goalkeeper in each. Split the remaining players into two teams of six, blue and orange: three orange players in each corner at one end and three blue players on each side, 10 metres from the goal at the other end. Each round is played as 2v2 plus a goalkeeper in each goal, and the other players wait at the side and enter in turn. The coach stands at the side with balls. Play starts with one blue player entering from each side and one orange player from each corner, and the coach passes to an orange player. Orange tries to score, blue tries to win the ball and score in the opposite goal. Set a time limit for the attack to raise the intensity. Goalkeepers are limited to three touches. When a goal is scored or the ball goes out, everyone leaves and a new set of players enters. See the video. Source: FIFA Training Centre (Instagram).

What the coach should look for

• Switch between pressing and covering.
• Close the passing lines between the two attackers.
• A time limit for the attack raises the tempo.
• If you win the ball: go straight for the opposite goal.

Watch the video

The video belongs to its creator and plays at the source.

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