Back Peddling & Controlling Attacker

Back Peddling & Controlling Attacker – Defensive Drill

Back Peddling & Controlling Attacker: This is a really good drill for young defenders to learn about how they can control a situation or attacker without actually having to make a tackle.

By teaching the defender not to run straight at the attacker and to back peddle instead, it makes it harder for the forward to get passed, as now they have to do all the hard work.

By also teaching them that positioning their body correctly can force the attacker somewhere they don’t want to go.

This drill will teach them both those things.

How it works

The Attackers start on the halfway line.

The Defenders start between halfway and the Penalty Area

Set up a row of Cones, Flat Circles / Discs, on the edge of the area or before depending on where you want your “engage line” to be.

On the whistle, the attacker sets off, ideally at pace but doesn’t have to be.

The defender waits for the attacker to approach and then starts backing off toward the “engage line” forcing the attacker wide or onto their weaker foot.

The defender is not allowed to engage in a tackle before the line, UNLESS the attacker kicks the ball into them.

The Goalkeeper can be encouraged to help the defender by giving instructions.

Back Peddling & Controlling Attacker – Scoring Points

Attackers:	1 Point for every GOAL Scored
Defenders:	1 Point for every SHOT Blocked or Tackle made
Goalkeepers:	1 Point for every SHOT Saved

Let each attacker have a couple of goes. Then add up the scores for that round. Then reverse it.

What they will Learn

The ultimate aim is to learn the value of positional sense.

Defenders will learn how to effectively close down space, control where they want the attacker to be and not to commit too early.

The forwards will learn that they will have to use their weaker foot and be prepared to go both ways to keep the defenders guessing.

Back Peddling & Controlling Attacker – Scaling it Up

Add a second defender and attacker into the mix.

This will encourage the defenders and goalkeeper to communicate about who is picking up who and for the attackers it brings passing and crossing into the drill.

The second defender will then have to track the other attackers run and get to any cross first to stop a goal.

Want More Drills ?

Check out this 4 Part Training Plan that will take up the whole session.

Keep track of the scores and come back to it after a month and see if they can improve

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