Cover & Balance

Objective

Two defenders work as a pair — one pressing, one covering — to defend a 2v2.

Equipment

• Ball
• Cones
• Bibs

Instructions

1. 1

   Set up a 20x15 yard grid with a small goal. Two attackers vs. two defenders.

2. 2

   When the ball goes to one attacker, Defender 1 presses; Defender 2 drops to cover the second attacker and the goal.

3. 3

   If the ball is switched, roles swap — Defender 2 now presses, Defender 1 covers.

4. 4

   Play for 3 minutes then swap attacker and defender roles.

Coaching Points

• ✓ The covering defender must be at an angle — never directly behind the pressing defender.
• ✓ Communicate: the pressing player calls "pressing", the covering player calls "covering".
• ✓ Do not both go to the ball — this creates a gap in behind.

Variations

• → Limit attackers to three touches to increase speed of play.
• → Add a target player behind the defensive line to simulate a runner in behind.