Seven-player didactic exercise

- Markers
- 2 vests
- 1 goal
- Balls
- Playing Area: 25x20 meters / 27x22 yds
- Players: 7
- Duration: 13 minutes
- Series: 3 of 1 minute per pair of players with 30 seconds of passive recovery between sets
Summary | Secondary Objectives |
---|---|
Seven-player training exercise for marking, positioning, and covering |
Cover, Body shape, Intercepting, Positioning, Marking, Intercepting, Cover |
Use the markers to create a 25x20-meter/27x22-yard rectangle. Player A stands with the ball in the middle of one long side of the rectangle, with players B and C to their right and left, respectively, about 10 meters/11 yards away and slightly ahead (forming a triangle). Opposite to the three players, about 15-20 meters/16-22 yards away, place forwards F and G, with defenders D and E behind them (players wearing red shirts in the picture). Place a goal behind the two defenders (as shown in the picture).
- Players A, B, and C pass the ball between themselves and/or alternatively move closer to or further away from the goal and pass to attackers F and G
- The two defenders D and E move depending on where the ball and attackers F and G are moving, and must intervene early when the ball is played towards the goal (one comes out to block the ball while the other provides coverage)
- At the end of each series, rotate the positions of the seven players (each player must play at least three times as a defender)
- Pay attention to the correct timing of the two defenders: one comes out and the other covers
- Lateral movements must always be coordinated, but with particular attention to the direct opponents (the two attackers)
- Defenders must follow the ball when it moves away from the goal and run away when it can be kicked, always paying attention to the positions of their direct opponents
- When the ball is played low towards the attacker, one defender will move forward to try to anticipate the move, while the other moves inside the field (towards the teammate who is moving forward, thus loosening the marking of the direct opponent)