ELIMINATE THE DEFENDER WITH PASS AND/OR FIRST RECEIVING TOUCH DEVELOP UNDERSTANDING OF RECEIVING POSITION, DIRECTION AND MOVEMENT OF FIRST TOUCH TO ELIMINATE DEFENDER
PLAYERS
10+ PLAYERS
SPACE
HALF-FIELD
EQUIPMENT
10+ BALLS, 2+ CONES
EXPLANATION:
Initiating player X begins with the ball at the half-way line on an inside channel. Defender O begins on the cone. X passes the ball forward to a Wing player to receive.
Receiver can either start behind or ahead of “Advantage Line” (dotted line running through defender’s position).
If receiver starts behind the Advantage Line, ball should be passed in front of Receiver, so she can run onto the ball.
If receiver starts in front of Advantage Line, ball can be passed more directly to the receiver.
As soon as the ball is passed, Defender O can recover.
Receiver should move the ball with her first touch towards the center of the field, to eliminate the recovering defender.
COACHING POINTS:
The quality of the pass is critical. Pass should lead the receiver with good ball speed, so she can accelerate onto (or with) the ball and maintain the positional advantage over the defender.
Receiver’s feet should be facing forward (pointing towards the goal on both sides. This will allow her to accelerate quickly with the ball to cut off the defender.
Recovering defender works to get into tackling position if possible, otherwise try to pressure the attacker into taking a shot from a wider angle.
EVALUATION:
Adjust players’ positioning and timing to skill level. For example, at a higher skill level, the ball speed will allow execution of elimination in a smaller space. The drill can be made easier for the attacking team by positioning the defender further inside.
Discuss receiving position: see if players can find the most effective position to eliminate with the pass (higher upfield, wide enough to be open, but not too wide so defender has good recovery line).
PROGRESSION:
LTT: Introduce concept over a smaller distance with a passive defender (put a coach in). You can also line up cones to guide the receiver to the inside.
TTC: As explaned above.
TTW: Execute the drill on the move. Also add an attacker and defender upfield (or 2 of each) to create a 2 vs 1 or 3 vs 2 (with recovering defender).
