Pressure and cover: 2v2 · Change the challenge
10 minutes · U9 starting lens · 4–5 players per station
Two attackers face two defenders protecting the far end. The nearest defender pressures; the other covers a useful route behind and beside them.
A/B/C = attackers · D = defender · S = server · N = neutral · white dot = ball. Leave clear space between stations. Schematic, not to scale.Set up
Two attackers face two defenders protecting the far end. The nearest defender pressures; the other covers a useful route behind and beside them. Mark four corners. Keep spare balls outside the near sideline. A fifth player joins the attackers as a rotating neutral; increase width by two yards.
Space: 16 × 20 yards per station; leave 3 yards between stations
Equipment: 2 balls per station (one spare) · 4 flat cones per station · Optional bibs; use agreed team/role names if unavailable
- Start
- Attackers start from the near end; defenders give three yards for the first touch. Both teams then play live.
- Score
- Attackers score by dribbling across the far end. After regaining, defenders attack the near end immediately. Delaying and preventing a clear route are useful even without a tackle.
- Reset & rotate
- After a point or ball out, restart from the appropriate end or sideline. Switch starting attack/defence roles between rounds; during play the ball decides the jobs.
Rounds: Show and try 1:00 · Play 1 1:53 · Rotate, drink, reset 0:20 · Play 2 1:53 · Rotate, drink, reset 0:20 · Play 3 1:52 · Rotate, drink, reset 0:20 · Play 4 1:52 · Notice and move on 0:30
One cue: One pressures, one helps behind
If it breaks down: The cover player stands beside the pressuring player: replay one slow attack and show the space a beaten defender leaves.
Entry version: Attackers walk and defenders block routes without tackling; pause once to show who is nearer.
Safety: Check the surface and clearance around the grid. No pushing, holding, slide tackles, or challenges from behind. Begin with no-contact route blocking; allow clean ball-winning pressure only when players can control the approach. Stop play before retrieving a ball from another station.