Six-week program · U11–U12
Defend Space and Connect
Six weekly sessions for defending without body or foot tackles. Players delay from a clear gap, screen a pass, hand over cover, recover after a loss and make a useful first connection after a regain.
What to look for over six weeks
- Protect a target while keeping a safe gap from the carrier.
- Share nearest and covering responsibilities as the ball moves.
- Connect a controlled first pass after an interception and reorganise after losing possession.
Use the observations below to choose the next challenge. Repeat a week when your team needs more time; the calendar can follow the players.
Week 1
Delay and Show a Side
Week 1: defenders rush straight at the ball and lose the direct route to their target. Protect that route while keeping a clear gap.
Before you start
Watch whether defenders can point to the protected target and keep a clear gap from a still carrier.
This week's goal
Protect an end-line target from a clear gap while inviting the carrier toward a less direct route.
- Stay between the ball and the direct target route.
- Move in balance without reaching at the carrier's feet.
Decide what comes next
- Defenders lose sight of the target — Practise recovering to the ball-to-target route before delaying. Recover the Ball
- Defenders protect the direct route without rushing — Read a return passing lane while retaining that clear gap. Screen the Return Lane
- I need another chance to observe this choice — Repeat this session with one observation in view: Notice a defender who keeps the direct target protected and makes the carrier choose a wider route or recycle. Delay and Show a Side
Continue the program with Week 2: Screen the Return Lane.
Week 2
Screen the Return Lane
Week 2: a defender watches only the carrier and misses the return receiver. Read both ends of a ground pass and move into empty space to intercept.
Before you start
Check whether delay protects the direct route without rushing at the carrier's feet.
This week's goal
Read the receiver and move into a return passing lane without approaching the carrier's feet.
- See carrier and receiver before the pass.
- Intercept a loose ground pass in space, then control the ball.
Decide what comes next
- Defenders approach the carrier's feet to win the ball — Restore the delay gap and protection of a passing route. Delay and Show a Side
- Players screen and control loose passes — Coordinate that nearest role with a covering partner when play changes side. Hand Over the Far Side
- I need another chance to observe this choice — Repeat this session with one observation in view: Record whether an interception comes from seeing the receiver and is followed by a controlled outlet. Screen the Return Lane
Continue the program with Week 3: Hand Over the Far Side.
Week 3
Hand Over the Far Side
Week 3: a pass changes sides, but both defenders keep their previous jobs. Hand over nearest and cover before the receiver can use the target.
Before you start
Check whether a player sees both passer and receiver and controls a loose-pass interception.
This week's goal
Exchange nearest and covering roles when a side pass changes the direction of attack.
- The new nearest defender identifies their job as the pass travels.
- The other defender moves goal-side to cover a different route.
Decide what comes next
- Nearest and cover are not yet distinct — Use the single-target role practice before repeating the handover. Partner Defending
- The pair hands over without losing cover — Use the same shared jobs after a loss of possession. Recover the Middle First
- I need another chance to observe this choice — Repeat this session with one observation in view: Observe a two-pass side change where cover remains behind the nearest defender on both sides. Hand Over the Far Side
Continue the program with Week 4: Recover the Middle First.
Week 4
Recover the Middle First
Week 4: after a turnover both players chase the new carrier. Recover the central route first, then decide who delays and who covers.
Before you start
Check whether a side pass leads to different nearest and covering positions.
This week's goal
After a loss, recover to the central route before deciding who delays and who covers.
- The first recovery movement protects the target rather than follows the ball.
- Two recovering players take different delaying and covering positions.
Decide what comes next
- The recovered pair still moves to the same job — Repeat the side-change handover with possession already settled. Hand Over the Far Side
- Players recover and divide the defending jobs — Practise the first attacking choice when they regain the ball. Secure the First Pass
- I need another chance to observe this choice — Repeat this session with one observation in view: Track the first recovery movement after a loss and the cover position after the next pass. Recover the Middle First
Continue the program with Week 5: Secure the First Pass.
Week 5
Secure the First Pass
Week 5: an interception creates a tempting forward pass that may be closed. Secure the ball, compare forward and side options, then connect.
Before you start
Check whether the first recovery movement after a loss protects the central route.
This week's goal
After an interception, compare a safe side outlet with an open forward receiver before committing.
- Control the intercepted ball before looking for the next pass.
- Choose a pass to a ready receiver through an open line.
Decide what comes next
- The interception is controlled but the outlet is lost — Repeat the fixed lateral outlet to stabilise the first connection. Win It and Use It
- Players compare and complete the first pass — Combine regains with recovery, cover and restart decisions. Transition Decisions Festival
- I need another chance to observe this choice — Repeat this session with one observation in view: Record the first pass after each observed regain and whether the receiver kept it under control. Secure the First Pass
Continue the program with Week 6: Transition Decisions Festival.
Week 6
Transition Decisions Festival
Week 6: possession changes several times and players stay in the previous role. Identify the new job at every transition and use one clear next action.
Before you start
Review the first pass after a regain: was it controlled, chosen from an open line and received comfortably?
This week's goal
Link delay, cover, recovery and a controlled first connection across changing game situations.
- Name and take a useful new role when ownership changes.
- Keep cover after a loss and complete a controlled connection after a regain.
Decide what comes next
- Players remain in their attacking role after a loss — Repeat central recovery and the first delay-cover decision. Recover the Middle First
- Players change jobs and keep the first connection — Compare the complete set of control, cooperation and transition choices in the team festival. Team Decisions Festival
- I need another chance to observe this choice — Repeat this session with one observation in view: Across the game rounds, record a covered target, a central recovery and a controlled first connection; choose the least secure one for the next practice. Transition Decisions Festival
Review your notes from all six practices and revisit the challenge that still needs attention.