Hi Jayvyn,

When teaching how to attack and defend, it's all about decision making. Whether to carry, to go into contact, to off load or to pass, there are plenty of variables the player needs to recognise.

For both defensive and attacking skills, initially start with this drill to help players develop a recognition of when is best to pass, or go into contact when attacking; and when the tackle and body positioning in defence.

You can then build up this drill by adding players and conditions, taking inspiration from the 'Decision Making' section of drills in Sportplan.

Hope this helps!

2 v 1 Drawing The Defender

Description:

• One attacking team and one defending team.
• Exercise focused on decision making when in a 2 v 1 situation.
• Each team lines up either side of the coach
• On 'GO' two attackers run round one side of the playing area and one defender runs round the other side. The coach passes to one of the attackers to initiate play.
• The aim is for the one attacker to reach the end line of the defender's side without being tackled/intercepted by the defender.

Coaching Points:

• Attackers should focus on drawing the defender in, and waiting until the defender is very close before passing to the teammate in open space.
• Attackers should move forward with the ball, and have the option to pass or to dummy the pass and run to the end line themselves.
• Defenders should try to stay in the middle of the two attackers, to not commit themselves too early or easily.
• If the defender gets dragged to the ball carrier too quickly and easily, the other attacker will have a lot of space to run to the end line.
• If the defender too focused on anticipating the pass across, then the ball carrier can dummy and go themselves.