Continuous defending with four goals

By Michael Beale

Shooting games are great to coach players defensive tactics - especially when the defender must win the ball to create a chance to shoot.

Individual defensive strategies mean players have to deal with a lot of 1v1s, which are crucial in matches. This game provides your defenders with a range of opponents to test themselves against.

Key factors in 1v1 defending:

• Pressure the opponent quickly.
• Keep focused on the ball.
• Force the attackers wide or backwards.
• Can the ball be won?

This is a great game because it is fast and your defenders are facing different situations in a short space of time.

How to set it up

Use a 40-yard square with a five-yard square in the centre marked out by four cones. Have four target goals, one on each side of the playing area, and lots of balls.

How to play it

1. One player starts in the centre while the other four players start in front of the goals. The player in the centre collects a ball and attacks a goal of his choice.
2. If the player scores, he races to retrieve a new ball to attack the next goal in an anticlockwise direction.
3. However, if the defender stops the attacker scoring, the roles are reversed and the defender runs out to retrieve a ball and attacks the goal opposite. Without defending well, your players do not get the chance to attack and score.