Support from the Middle

Focus

Skills under pressure, Defensive, Decision Making, Run & Carry.

Skills

Shepherd, Handball Quick.

Purpose

It's remarkable how difficult a 2-on-1 contest can be to win, even when the numbers are in your favour. This drill shows how the support of a midfielder dropping back to can greatly assist 2 players trying to work the ball out of defence.

Players

20⁺

Ages

13⁺

Balls

Cones

Distance (max)

40m

Opp. tops

Visible opposition strip: 2

Setup
Setup a 40m x 25m square. Four players (2 on-ballers, 2 defenders with bumping bags if available) start inside the square, everyone else forms pairs behind stations (A - D).
Step 1
Pair (A) start with the ball. They have a supporting on-baller (E) to help, and a defender (F) with a bumping bag to get past using handball.

Defender (F) can either be a tackler, or use a bumping bag and pressure through body contact.

Players must be looking to block (F) whenever possible.
Step 2
Pair (A) may use (E) to get past (F), however if (E) is covered they can ignore that player. Once past, they handball to pair (B) and join that station.

After the contest, (E) runs diagonally to the opposite corner to assist pair (C).

(F) returns to the same end to pressure pair (D)
Step 3
Pair (B) repeat the process, this time supported by (G) pressured by (H)

After the contest, (G) runs diagonally to the opposite corner to assist pair (D).

(H) runs across to apply pressure to group (C)
Step 4
The drill continues in this fashion, with defenders harassing both stations at their end, while supporting on-ballers move across the rectangle diagonally to support at that contest.
Step 5
After several times around the square, swap the players in the square. You may also choose to change the direction of play.