Back Four Against Five Attackers
A back four and goalkeeper defend against five attackers who circulate the ball across the pitch. The back four shift, cover and press together.
- Age
- U15–Senior
- Players
- 12–18
- Duration
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- Medium
- Area
- 40 × 55 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Tactical: Defensive organisation, Pressing
- Concepts worked on
- Tactical:ShiftingCoverCompactnessMarking
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
The back four is a unit: when the ball goes wide, the full-back presses, the centre-back covers, and the far full-back tucks in. Five attackers create constant decisions about who presses and who stays. The coach stops play to correct distances (10–12 m between defenders).
Objective
Shift and cover as a back four, keeping the right distances and pressing on the ball side.
Organisation
- Defensive third, full width (about 55 × 40 m). Goal and goalkeeper.
- Back four in their positions; five attackers start 25–35 m from goal.
How it works
- The attack starts from a midfielder who passes wide.
- Attackers try to score within 20 seconds. Defenders score by winning the ball and passing to the coach at halfway.
- 8 attacks, then change attackers.
Coaching points
- Ball wide: full-back presses, nearest centre-back covers 5–6 m behind and inside.
- Far full-back tucks in to the edge of the box.
- Keep the line together; step up when the ball goes back.
Progressions
- Six attackers (4v6) with a holding midfielder helping the defence.
Regressions
- Four attackers; coach pauses play at each switch.
Variations
- Defenders play with a high line and offside.
Key principles
- Move as one: press, cover, balance.
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