facebook pixel

Soccer drill: zone defense

Suitable for the following techniques: defense positional play

Zone defense

Distances: pawns 2 meters apart.
T= TRAINER.
CV= central defender.
Blue is defense.
Red is offense.

Explanation:
Box 1
  • Trainer plays ball in to A, the closest man in this case, the CV, step forward to put pressure on player with ball.
  • We see a gap created where there is space for the 2 attackers to run in. See the arrows from B&C.
Box 2
  • Here we see the solution to cover this running line.
  • The moment the defender steps in on the player with the ball, the other players step 1 meter to the middle to close the gap. In this way, no play can be made between them.
  • The defender facing the attacker who gets the ball steps forward. The rest must slide inside.
Explanation to players:
  • You explain that red are the attackers and blue are the defenders.
  • You start in the starting lineup and play attacker A.
  • You ask the players; what should the defense do now? Correct answer: opposing defender puts pressure on the man with the ball. Make sure the rest stay put.
  • You ask the players; what is created now? Correct answer: space/ running line for the attackers to dive in. Demonstrate this by running one of the attackers into this gap.
  • You now ask the players; how can they avoid this? Correct answer: all step in slightly. In this case exactly between the pawns.
Exercise:
  • Ball at trainer is always back to beginning lineup.
  • Initial exercise is passive, trainer plays to 1 attacker, the defenders take their steps, ball back to trainer.
  • Then then play other attacker. Do about 5 minutes until defenders do their job.
  • If it goes well quickly, you can make it harder just by increasing the ball pace.
  • One step further is to allow the attackers to pass the ball among themselves and not just to the trainer.
  • Then switch the attackers and defenders and do the same thing again. Both for about 10 minutes.
drawing Zone defense
Add to training

Characteristics of the drill

4
10
Necessary materials:
1
8
Suitable for the following levels:
O12
O13
O14
O15
O16
O17
O18
O19
O20
Seniors