Shepherd or Create?

Focus

Defensive, Decision Making.

Skills

Kick Short, Tackle, Shepherd, Crumb.

Purpose

In a 2-on-1 situation, a player can either apply a block an opponent and let their teammate control play, or if they're not in a position to block, peel off and provide a handball option.

Groups of

Ages

11⁺

Balls/grp

Cones

Distance (max)

20m

Setup
Ideally groups of 9 (12 max) and 1 coach/assistant/injured player out the front to roll the balls. Players form even numbers behind cones. (A) and (B) are teammates who are in a 2-on-1 against (C). Cone (C) is set back about 1 metre behind the others to give them a head-start.
Step 1
The person out the front rolls the ball somewhere - it can be directly down the middle, or to either (A) or (B)'s advantage.
Step 2
All players run towards the ball. Depending on who is quickest out of (A) and (B), that player should be looking to crumb while the other looking to block (C)

Teammates should be talking as they are running towards the ball
Step 3
The player out of (A) and (B) who is trailing must decide whether to block (C) or peel off and provide a handball option. This will depend on whether they are in front of (C) and can apply body pressure
Step 4
The upper diagram displays a situation where the player can block - it allows their team mate to wheel around and kick to either (A) or (B) on the cone
Step 5
The lower diagram displays a situation where the player can't block, so provides a handball option. After receiving they kick to either (A) or (B) on the cone.
Step 6
You can optionally allow (C) to tackle, otherwise just apply enough pressure on the kicker to put them off.

After the drill, everyone involved joins the next cone in line (A to C, C to B, B to A)