1 | P a g e

Forcing Play in One Directiontechnique

Neil Bailey

The Session

An area 20 x 10m. Coaches should tryand involve players with equalabilities.

To start the practice the defenderpasses to the attacker at the oppositeend of the area. Then the defendermust try and close the down ball asquickly as possible, trying to force theattacker into one direction.

The attacker must try and run ordribble the ball past the defender overthe end line.

Key Points:

After playing the ball, thedefender has to decide the nextposition while making ground upquickly towards the attacker.

After the initial sprint thedefender will have to adjustposition and speed based on theattackers first touch.

The defenders must beencouraged to work on bodyposition and shape to try and winthe ball. They should try andforce the attacker down oneroute, maintaining a low bodyposition and almost side on tothe attacker.

Patience to jockey the attackermay be required. Defendersshould attempt to stay on theirfeet and not too eager to lungeinto a tackle.

The defender should react to theball and not to the attacker'sbody movement.

2 | P a g e

Forcing Play in One Directionskill

Neil Bailey

The Session

In a similar area, progressing to 2 v 2,only a now a small target goal isadded to the line from where thedefenders (in white) start the practice.

The defenders play the ball out, to theblues who must now try and score intothe unguarded goal.

This makes it more challenging for thedefenders who must now work on theirpositional play and distance in relationto each other. Their aim is to try andforce the ball away from the target.

Key Points:

Communication skills betweenthe two defenders are nowessential in this practice.

The angle and distance for thecovering player is important.

The defenders need toconcentrate on both attackers,not dealing exclusive with theplayer in possession. Theyshould be aware of attackingoverlaps, quick exchanges andtracking runners.

3 | P a g e

Forcing Play in One Directiongame

Neil Bailey

The Session

4v4 in an area relative to age andability with goalkeepers for both teamsnow introduced.

A goalkeeper starts the practice bypassing to a team-mate.

It is now up to the four defenders towork as a defensive unit to try andforce the play into one-direction awayfrom the goal.

The defenders take up their positionsfrom each-other, repositioning if ateam-mate is beaten.

Key Points:

Incorporating key points from theprevious practices.

Defenders should be encouragedto work at body positioning,tracking any movement off theball by the attackers, whilstattempting to keep the ball awayfrom the goal area.

Forcing the play in one directioncan also include preventing anattacker from turning in the firstinstance.