Defending a 2v1: Delay Until Help
A defender and a goalkeeper face two attackers. The defender's job is to slow the attack, cover the pass and push the carrier towards the goalkeeper's strong side.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 6–12
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 25 × 20 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Technical: 1v1 defending
- Tactical: Defensive organisation
- Concepts worked on
- Technical:Interception
- Tactical:DelayingMarkingNumerical superiority
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Coaches often train the 2v1 only from the attacking side. This wave teaches the outnumbered defender what to do: retreat while facing the ball, stand between the two attackers to make the pass difficult, and only commit when the carrier takes a heavy touch. The goalkeeper communicates and deals with the shot.
Objective
Defend a 2v1 by delaying, covering the passing lane and forcing a shot from a poor angle.
Organisation
- 20 × 25 m in front of a goal with a goalkeeper.
- One defender 10 m from goal; two attackers start 22 m from goal.
How it works
- The attackers have 10 seconds to score.
- The defender scores a point for every attack that ends without a goal, or two by winning the ball and passing to the coach.
- Change defenders every 4 attacks.
Coaching points
- Retreat facing the ball: do not turn your back.
- Stand between the two attackers so one look covers both.
- Shorten the distance only when the carrier's touch is long.
- Goalkeeper: tell the defender 'carrier' or 'pass' and take the shooter if the defender covers the pass.
Progressions
- Attackers have 6 seconds.
- The attackers may use one-twos and overlaps.
Regressions
- The defender starts closer to the goal.
Variations
- Play 3v2 with two defenders.
Key principles
- Delay is a defensive success.
- The goalkeeper and defender defend together.
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