Recovery Double Team

EXPLANATION:

• Defender O1 initiates play by passing to X.
• Once pass is made, play is live and X attempts to eliminate the 2 defenders and attack the goal.
• O1 and O2 immediately engage, and approach X to double-team and attempt to win the ball.
• If X penetrates with possession, he goes to goal.
• If O’s win the ball, they counter attack to the goal by the halfway line.
• Switch sides and run the drill on the defensive left side. 

VARIATIONS:

• Vary the angle of O1 and O2’s starting position.
• Switch zone/box to opposite different areas/sides of the field. 

COACHING POINTS:

• The first defender to engage the attacker first to control  the speed and momentum of the attacker, approaching from the line to dangerous space (towards goal). Once the second defender is close enough to help, he can communicate which side he is coming to help on, and hence which direction the on-ball defender should force the attacker.
• As the defenders close the defender down, O1 and O2 should create an “L” shape with sticks to trap attacker, while protecting lines to goal. (See diagram 2). If possible, attacker should be channelled Left to Right from a defensive perspective, towards the defenders’ forehand. (O1 channel in towards O2 to make the tackle).  

EVALUATION:

• The two defenders should communicate with each other through the double-team. As a general principle, communication in defensive situations should come from the defender furthest from the ball.
• When the play is moving fast in open space, defenders will have to be more upright and mobile to keep moving with the attacker. Once the speed of the attacker is controlled and the space is confined, defenders can move into a lower tackling/blocking position.
• *Make sure the players understand when to use a double-team in open play. As a general principle, a double-team should be used when a team has cover. This means there are enough defensive players to account for all attackers in behind when the second defender goes to the ball.