How to best combat through balls

Football CoachCoach

1. Try to prevent midfiel players recieving ball with time and space to produce quality through ball. 2. Pressure passer to prevent through ball e.g. forcing passer onto weaker foot (lessening pass accuracy), not allow player time/space to play easy passes. 3.Cover defence to mark properly say for example through ball to central areas. 1.defender gets as tight as possible in relation to the player he is marking quick defender slower striker defender can pressure much closer etc. 2. Defenders marks the inside shoulder forcing the player/pass away from the central area to a less dangerous position it also makes it more difficult for passer to see easy options. 3. Stagger defence so that there is always a covering player full backs covering centre backs or ply with a sweeeper.

Football CoachCoach

There are a few things I can suggest. (I agree with and repeat what Paul says but will add to it)

1. Get emediate pressure on the ball to make them lose it, force a pass sideways or back.

2. Consider change the shape your team plays in the back by having a center player.

3. Practice "transition" to defend more. It's a very difficult thing for many kids to do. It always seems to be that kids need a few seconds to realize there team doesn't have the ball any more.

My point here though is that transition making your team have the closest player put emidiate pressure on the ball "AND" the remainder of your team can play low pressure. By dropping back, and compacting the area, a through ball would only go to the keeper or out of bounds since the ball is too close to the penalty area. So then you may encounter more wing play from the other team.

Last point in the transition to defend, practice getting players to quickly mark opponents "strong side" which is trying to be inside the opponent both closer to the ball and goal you are defending. By being inside the player near the ball, a player won't have an easy pass to feet. And by being closer the the goal, a through ball would be closer to your player and have a slight edge in a foot race.