Football · Defending · Decision-making
2v2 cover and balance
Two defenders learn to press, cover and balance as two attackers move the ball and try to score past a keeper.
Start / 5
- Time
- 15 min
- Players
- 5–12
- Age
- U12+
- Area
- 25 × 20 m
- Equipment
- 1 goal8 cones10 balls6 bibs
Setup
- Mark a 25 × 20 m area with a goal and keeper at one end.
- Put two 3 m cone gates on the far line for the defenders to counter into.
- Attacking pairs queue by the coach, defending pairs by the goal.
How it runs
- The coach plays a ball to an attacker and the 2v2 starts.
- Attackers score in the goal. Defenders win it and dribble or pass through a gate.
- Play to a goal, a gate or out of play, then the next pairs go.
- Swap attackers and defenders every 5 goes.
Coaching points
- First defender, close it down, slow the attacker and show them wide.
- Second defender, cover at an angle behind, 3 to 5 m away, close enough to help.
- When the ball switches, swap jobs. The new nearest defender presses, the other drops in.
- Ball far away? Balance. Tuck in towards goal; don't follow your player wide.
Common mistakes
- Both defenders go to the ball.
- The cover stands level with the presser, not behind.
- The far defender follows their attacker wide and leaves the middle open.
Say it: “Press, cover, balance. Talk to each other.”
Make it harder
- Make the area 30 m wide.
- Add a third attacker who plays one touch.
Make it easier
- Narrow the area to 15 m wide.
- Attackers must make two passes before they can shoot.
Pairs well with
Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.