3 vs 3 Circle Marking

EXPLANATION:

• Ball starts with central X in midfield. 3 perimeter players (x’s) transfer ball laterally in midfield.
• 3 Defenders (O’s) mark 3 Attackers inside 23m area.
• After a minimum of 2 midfield passes, ball is passed in to one of the attackers.
• Defenders mark, trying to deny the pass to attacking players by intercepting.
• If Defenders intercept, they look to release a quick outlet pass to one of the side midfielders. 

COACHING POINTS:

• Front-mark in this area of the field so the Attacker does not have time to receive the ball in a dangerous space. Defender should be closer to the ball than the Attacker, and slightly on the inside of the field towards the Center Line.
• Keep body “side-on”, so shoulders are open to both ball position and attacker Defender should always know where the attacker is, so must continually check and recheck visually to make sure positioning is correct.
• Maintain an appropriate distance from the attacker (the closer they are to the ball, the closer defender should be).

• Although this drill is designed for defenders to work on marking, attacking players should challenge the defence by creating dynamic off-ball movement and interchange.
• Attackers should be looking off-ball at the other forwards, and move accordingly.

PROGRESSION:

• LTT: n/a
• TTC & TTW: Work on specific patterns with forwards - cycling, clearing lanes and posting up back to the ball. Patterns that will translate directly to forwards’ movement in the game.

EXPLANATION:

• Ball starts with central X in midfield. 3 perimeter players (x’s) transfer ball laterally in midfield.
• 3 Defenders (O’s) mark 3 Attackers inside 23m area.
• After a minimum of 2 midfield passes, ball is passed in to one of the attackers.
• Defenders mark, trying to deny the pass to attacking players by intercepting.
• If Defenders intercept, they look to release a quick outlet pass to one of the side midfielders.