Defenders need to control a game by limiting options for passing and shooting, so get your players working together and communicating to channel the attackers! Body positioning is a key component of this session, as players need to know how to angle their run in and how tight to the defender they should be.
What's in the Session?
We begin with a high intensity 4 vs 1 warm up to get defenders competing to win the ball, introducing them to the goals of the session. Defenders then work together, using angles of approach, body positioning and distances to cut off passing options before engaging with a player.
These skills are used to channel the opposition in a full pitch game working on a diamond midfield.
in more ways than one
in more ways than one
Deliberate heading is now out of U11 grassroots matches. Here is how to coach chest, thigh and foot control so your players still win the ball in the air.
Long-range goals doubled at the 2026 World Cup as teams sat deep. Here is how to coach when to shoot from distance, the technique, and the follow-up.
Under FutureFit, your Under-9s stay at 5v5, your Under-11s stay at 7v7 and your Under-13s stay at 9v9. Same pitch, same numbers, one more year. Here is how to make sure that year feels like a step forward rather than a repeat.