Pressure-Cover-Balance

Objective

Practise the three defensive roles simultaneously: pressure, cover, and balance in a 3v3 setup.

Equipment

• cones
• bibs
• balls

Instructions

1. 1

   Set up a 20x20 yard grid, 3 defenders vs 3 attackers.

2. 2

   When attacker has the ball: one defender presses, one covers, one balances on the far side.

3. 3

   Rotate roles as the ball moves.

4. 4

   Defenders win by winning the ball or forcing it out of bounds.

5. 5

   5-minute rounds with 3 rotations.

Coaching Points

• ✓ Pressure: force the attacker to one side; don't let them turn.
• ✓ Cover: 2–3 yards behind the pressing defender, ready to intercept.
• ✓ Balance: position to cut off switches of play.

Variations

• → Expand to a 4v4 with the same principles and add a recovery sprint condition.