Movements for the 4-man defensive line with lateral ball

Goal:
Equipment
  • Balls
  • Cones
Preparation
  • Playing Area: half field
  • Players: 10 + 1 goalkeeper
  • Duration: 20 minutes
  • Series: 3 of 6 minutes each with 1 minute of recovery between sets
Movements for the 4-man defensive line with lateral ball

Summary

Educational drill for 4-man defensive line and lateral ball management

Organization

Use a regulatory half of the field for the exercise. At the edge of the penalty area arrange four defenders in a line. In front of the defenders, near midfield, place four opponents, each with a ball. Near each sideline, another opposing player is placed with a ball. In front of each side player, near the end line, place a cone. A goalkeeper defends the goal. The coach stands on the outside of the field beside the goal.

Description

  • The coach calls the name of one of the four offensive players placed near the halfway line
  • The player called moves or drives the ball and consequently the defensive 4-line also shortens, backs, and moves according to the ball (red arrows in the picture); the goalkeeper also goes along with the movements of the defensive line
  • At a later time, the coach calls the name of one of the players placed near the side lines
  • The named player drives the ball toward the cone in front of them; having reached the cone they will return in conduction to the starting point
  • At the time of the second call by the coach, the defensive line will absorb with the principle "one out and three in" the side ball (yellow arrows in the picture); again, the goalkeeper will go along with the movements of the defensive line

Rules

  • Maintain distances between players when forming the defensive line and/or forming coverage shapes
  • Handle the side ball with the principle of "one out and three in" to cover the goal space

Variations

  1. Also add the line of midfielders so as to work with two defensive units
  2. Increase the distance from the goal

Coaching Points

  • Pay attention to the orientation of the body
  • Pay attention to the timing of movement of the defensive line
  • Manage the spaces used by defenders to cover the goal from the side ball
  • Control that the goalkeeper accompanies the movements of the defensive line
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