Exercises › Game exercise
Defending 1v2 and 2v3
- 15 min
- 8–16 players
- 7v7
- 9v9
- 11v11
- Organized defending
- Counter-attack
A three-step drill for teams that struggle to defend when outnumbered. Step 1: the defender scans and positions against two attackers and picks the right moment to step in. Step 2: 2v3, where the defenders keep their shape, reduce space and read the passes. Step 3: a game where everything is used for real. After winning the ball the team switches into a quick counter-attack. See the video for the set-up and measurements. Source: Pelota Academy / Pro Footballer Skills (YouTube).
What the coach should look for
- Scan before the ball arrives.
- Minimise space and read the passes.
- Talk to each other: who presses, who covers?
- Start the counter right when you win the ball.
The video belongs to its creator and plays at the source.
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