Hand over the first defender and cover roles
When a pass changes the ball side, identify the nearer defender and preserve a second covering position.
Check the problem
Both defenders approach the new carrier, leaving the route behind them open, or both hang back because neither knows whose turn it is. Watch the handover as the ball travels, rather than only the final attempt to win possession.
Set up the space and roles
Use two 12 × 16 m areas with four corner cones and one ball each. Two attackers face two defenders. Keep a clear 2 m perimeter buffer and 4 m between areas. Start with slow ground passes. Defenders protect space, stay at least 1 m away and never tackle feet or bodies.
Keep the rotation clear
In each quartet, 1/2 attack while 3/4 defend, then switch pairs. Change the left/right starting positions in the next round. Use the same pattern for players 5–8. All eight play in the game.
See the practice in three steps
Schematic views, not to scale. Player numbers match the roles below. Dark arrows show passes, dashed green arrows show movement and solid green arrows show carries. Use the written dimensions when marking your area.
1. Starting positions
2. The decision and movement
3. Game application
Your complete 30-minute plan
Briefing, planned role changes, water and reflection are included. Add rest or stop when needed; shorten active play rather than rushing a transition.
00:00–03:00 · 3 min
Check, explain and walk the layout
With the ball still beside attacker A, show one defender nearer the carrier and the second a few metres behind at an angle. Pass slowly to B and pause. Let the defenders identify who is now nearer and who can cover.
03:00–08:00 · 5 min
Prepare the movement
Attackers pass side to side while defenders walk into their new positions. A defender can say “near” and the partner “cover”, or point to the agreed roles. Do not require the same child to lead every time.
08:00–17:00 · 9 min
Focused practice and role changes
Attackers may take a controlled forward touch after the sideways pass. Defenders hand over without crossing each other or rushing the carrier. In the 9 minute block, take 1 minute to show the movement, then four rounds of 1 minute 40 seconds plus 20 seconds to swap. Alternate the attacking and defending pairs each round; partners exchange starting sides.
17:00–19:00 · 2 min
Water and reset
Pause for water and check the playing area. Prepare the 24 × 28 m game area with a clear 2 m outside buffer, reusing the same cones. Extra rest takes priority; shorten the next playing block if needed.
19:00–28:00 · 9 min
Use it in a game
Play 4v4 in the larger area with controlled carries over an end line to score. Use three 2 minute 40 second games and 20 second resets. No-contact defending and ground-pass interceptions remain. Watch the two nearest defenders: after the ball changes sides, is one protecting the carrier’s route while another protects the space behind?
28:00–30:00 · 2 min
Reflect and choose the next step
Ask each defender to describe the partner’s job. If both name the same job, repeat the paused handover. Faster movement is useful only after the responsibilities are clear.
Watch for a useful change
- Nearer defender changes when the ball changes side.
- Covering defender stays behind at an angle.
- Handover preserves space without both chasing the ball.
Make it easier
Stop the ball after each pass and let the defenders walk into the new picture.
When ready
Allow a return pass before the defenders fully settle, keeping delivery slow and contact-free.
Ask each defender to describe the partner’s job. If both name the same job, repeat the paused handover. Faster movement is useful only after the responsibilities are clear.
Original Session Pitch practice. Open this file from the extracted folder with its three maps and stylesheet. Use your browser’s Print command to save a PDF. Field effectiveness has not been evaluated.