Futsal · Power play & fly goalkeeper · Defending

Defending the power play 4v5

Four defenders hold a compact diamond against a five-player power play, block shots and punish turnovers with a shot at the empty goal.

FGA1A2A3A4D1D2D3D4GK
Start / 6
Time
20 min
Players
10–14
Age
U16+
Area
Full court
Equipment
8 futsal balls2 goals1 goalkeeper-coloured shirt for the fly goalkeeper10 bibs

Setup

  1. Defenders: four outfield players in a diamond (D1 top, D2 and D3 sides, D4 back) and a goalkeeper.
  2. Attackers: four players and a fly goalkeeper (FG) in a goalkeeper-coloured shirt. Their own goal is empty.
  3. Attackers set up 3-2 in the defenders' half.

How it runs

  1. Coach plays the ball to FG to start; attackers have 40 seconds to score.
  2. Defenders score 1 for a blocked shot and 3 for a goal in the empty net.
  3. A shot at the empty goal is only allowed from a balanced position with a clear sight of goal.
  4. Play 8 attacks, then swap teams.

Coaching points

  • Stay compact: the diamond is no wider than the posts plus a step either side.
  • Only the defender nearest the ball jumps out. The rest slide across together.
  • Shut the pass through the middle first. Let them pass round the outside.
  • D4 guards the post players. Talk to the goalkeeper about who covers the second post.
  • Block shots standing up, body square and arms in. Stay on your feet; no sliding.
  • Win it, then look up. Shoot at the empty goal only if it's clear, or keep the ball and run the clock.
  • Count your team fouls. From the sixth, every foul is a 10 m kick with no wall.

Common mistakes

  • Two defenders going to the ball and leaving a player free at the post.
  • Diving in and being bypassed with one pass.
  • Snatching at a long shot at the empty goal off balance and giving it straight back.
  • Turning the back on a shot.

Say it: “Compact, slide, block.”

Make it harder

  • Attackers on two touches max to speed it up.
  • Defenders only score at the empty goal from their own half.

Make it easier

  • Attackers limited to three touches each.
  • Coach freezes play to fix the diamond's spacing.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.