Delay the play 2v1 with a defender touching the goal and recovering
Continuous 2v2 game in 20x10 m where one defender must touch the opposition goal before defending: his partner faces a temporary 2v1 and learns to delay until help arrives.
Step 1Saque y 2v1
1 / 3
El entrenador sirve al 1. El defensor 2 debe tocar la portería contraria antes de defender; el defensor 1 sale a temporizar de perfil.
Objective
Teach the first defender to delay the attack when outnumbered (don't dive in, block the pass, buy time) and the recovering defender to make his recovery run along the shortest line towards goal.
Organisation
20x10 m pitch with a mini goal at each end. Eight players in two teams of four; each team attacks in pairs. Coach with balls on the touchline, level with the middle. Two colours of bibs.
Development
- 1The coach starts play with a pass to the attacking pair, varying the position and weight of the ball.
- 2As the ball is played, one of the two defenders must run and touch the opposition goal before he can defend: this creates a temporary 2v1.
- 3The lone defender only delays: he slows the ball carrier, gets side-on, blocks the passing line and does not dive in; his job is to buy the time his partner needs to recover.
- 4The recovering defender sprints along the shortest line towards his own goal and, on arrival, becomes the cover or presses the second attacker: the 2v2 is restored.
- 5If a goal is scored or the ball goes out, the next attacking pair enters; if the defenders win the ball they counter immediately into the far goal.
- 6The last player to touch the ball in an attack is the defender who must touch the goal in the next phase, so the role rotates without stopping the game.
Coaching points4
- Don't overcommit: delay and wait for the recovering player to even the numbers.
- Side-on stance and a distance that lets you react to both the dribble and the pass.
- Recover towards the goal, not towards the ball: get behind the ball first, then defend.
- Recognise the moment to win the ball when the attacker takes a slightly big touch.
Common mistakes3
- The lone defender dives in and the attacking pair plays around him with one pass.
- The recovering player runs at the ball carrier instead of recovering towards goal.
- Delaying from so far away that the attacker advances and shoots unopposed.
Variations3
- Coach starts play with an aerial ball or a long pass.
- Increase to 3v3 with one recovering defender to work on the third defender's cover.
- Double points for goals scored before the recovering defender arrives, to reward attacking speed.
Progressions2
- Replace the mini goal with a full goal and keeper and enlarge to 30x20 m.
- Have the recovering defender start behind the attackers so he must overtake them.
Regressions2
- Reduce the pitch to 15x10 m to shorten the recovery run.
- Attackers on two touches to give the defender time to delay.
Tips
- Vary where the ball is served so the 2v1 starts in different areas.
- Count out loud the seconds the defender holds on: it makes successful delaying visible.