Attack With Two in Rest Defence
A 6v6 game where the attacking team must always keep two players in its own half. If the opponent scores on a counter while the rule is broken, the goal counts double.
- Age
- U15–Senior
- Players
- 14–16
- Duration
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 50 × 40 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Match
- Objectives
- Tactical: Defensive transition, Attacking transition, Ball possession
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Goalkeeper
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Rest defence is how the team is organised behind the ball while attacking, ready for the loss. The rule forces two players to stay back and mark the opposing forwards, so counter-attacks meet a defence. Players learn who stays and who joins the attack.
Objective
Attack while keeping balance behind the ball to stop counter-attacks.
Organisation
- Pitch of 50 × 40 m, halfway line marked. Two goals and goalkeepers. Two teams of five outfield players.
How it works
- When attacking, two players must stay in their own half.
- A goal conceded while fewer than two players are back counts double.
- 3 × 8 minutes.
Coaching points
- The two at the back mark the opponent's forwards, goal-side.
- When the ball is lost, they delay; the others counter-press.
- Rotate: if a back player joins the attack, a teammate drops.
Progressions
- Only one player in rest defence (harder for the attack).
Regressions
- Three players back.
Variations
- Add a mini-goal for counters on each sideline.
Key principles
- Attack with balance.
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