PLAY PROGRESSION 4
In this situation, the striker is in straight line with the target. This increase pressure on the defensive midfielder as the distance is shorter and faster for the striker. In this more challenging drill, you may allow the striker to finish the ball from a further distance than in the drill before. Again, this will challenge the defensive midfield player.
PLAY PROGRESSION 3
In this drill the defensive midfielder of each team is put under the pressure of protecting the 6 yards zone and heavily press the number 9 for a long distance. While the ball in the rondo zone, the defensive midfield player presses and anticipates the next pass. Till the players complete the set number of passes, they pass to the ouside number 9. The defensive midfielder in action might anticipate that earlier if he knows the number of passes set. Now it is a 1v1 situation. The number 9 is not allowed to finish till he gets to the cone giving the play more space of challenge for the defensive midfielder. However, if the defensive midfielder wins the ball, he should pass back to the rondo zone where now his team can start their turn. If number 9 scores successfully, the outside player passes the ball and force fast transition.
PLAY PROGRESSION 2
This is a little more advanced and a little more serious than the first drill. In this drill, the field is organized into 4 zones. This is to allow the defensive midfield player focus his pressure and gate protection. Remember, the aim of the drill is to challenge and educate players, not to complicate the situation. As in the animation, the aim for team in possession is to transfer play to the other zone, and then to opponents' zone. The aim for the bib player is to highly press the ball holder and defend his gate.
PLAY PROGRESSION 1
Another drill where you spark youngsters to improve their ability as defensive midfield players. 2 teams compete in 2 tight zones. The drill as noted starts in a simple manner. 1 player of each team wears a bib which make them the defensive midfield players. When a team in possession, their bib player helps in rondo, while the opponent bib player applies high pressure. Players in possession should delay their pass as possible to allow the opponent apply pressure. Once the pre set number of passes is completed, the bib player with the team in possession should dribble with the ball into the gate. There, he is pressured by the opponent bib player till he successfully manages to turn, and pass to the other team. Then, it is his turn to be the defensive midfielder.
DEFENDING
CENTER BACKS is the one side of the game that keeps pundits busy and fans' nerves on the verge. In this drill, the center backs to be introduced to one of their roles. They will have to be aware of the side of play. The playground is designed as seen, with 2 goals at each side. The middle zone is where the forwards of one team allowed to keep possession. While the zones at each end are the penalty zones wheree only one attacking player is allowed. The horizontal middle line, is meant to divide the play into 2 sides. Each defender on each side is responsible to protect his goal while in defensive situation. He also has to follow carefully the side of play. While the defenders' team are in possession, the allowed to move forward providing some support for their mates. Attacking team try to get into the penalty zone and score at one goal.This will create a 1v1 situation with the defender who is now under pressure to protect his goal. If the attacking player successfully scores, the coach passes a ball to the opponents now so they transition. However, if the defender successfully wins the ball, he himself makes the transition pass.
DEFENDERS WORK IN THE BOX
In this drill, the middle zone is elongated putting defenders under more responsibility earlier. The poles and cones are taken further away from the 18 yards line as the aim here is to simulate counter attacks as well.
The game starts on the whistle, the players turn around their cones and poles. The coach sends the ball behind the offside line to the forwards who now begin their attack. Thei aim is to send the ball into the middle rectangular without being intercepted. The 2 other forwards move inside forming 2 other lines where the player with the ball can pass to. The defender outside is only delaying the player with the ball and not allowed to tackle till the ball is inside the box.
1 point for forwards to get the ball into the box, and 1 extra if they manage to score. The defenders only get one point per successful defending.
3 CENTER BACKS.
In this drill, a 3rd defender is added. 3 center backs formation, the small box in the middle is for one defender to mark a forward in there.
The whistle blows and the players start their physcial part by running around the poles and cones. The coach sends the ball at one side, this is when both teams start their roles based on the side. The forwards has to finally send the ball to their mate inside the small zone. When forwards successfully send the ball to the small zone, they win 1 point, and one extra if they score. However, defenders don't gain a point till they win the ball and finish the attack. This will put more pressure on them.
2 CENTER BACKS
Central defenders in nowadays game are not just statues defending inside their own zones. They are now more dynamic, faster, agile, they also take big roles in attacks whether open play, set peices, or build up.
In this drill, the role for the defenders is to defend against a side ball coming from a prompt attack while they are running back to their zones, not in there waiting. The ploes are for forwards and the cones for defenders to turn around and do their jobs. On the whistle, the players start the run, the coach at a moment sends the ball to one side of his choice. The defenders and forwards do their roles based on the ball side. If the defenders intercept successfully, that is a point for them, if forwards get the ball, that is a point, and one more point added if they score. This should put the defenders in continuous pressure.
PROGRESSION
In this progression, a physical challenge is added on defenders to help them accommodate their skills with physical burden. They must go back to the arc and in the zone before the next wave. Poles added here in the penalty zone for forwards to finish through, thus forcing defenders to block and be more aggressive with the ball getting closer to their goal.