Endline Defense 1

EXPLANATION:

• Coach initiates play by passing the ball down to Attacker X, just outside the circle.
• X receives the ball and attacks the circle, aiming to get past the Defender O, and into position for a shot on goal.
• O approaches the attacker, attempting to either tackle and clear the ball to the outside, OR to channel the attacker into the GK’s space, for the GK to clear the ball.
• Mirror the drill on the opposite side of the field. 

VARIATIONS:

• Change the starting positions of both attacker and defender, and thus changing the recovery angle and speed.

COACHING POINTS:

• The correct angle of approach by the defender is important. The attacker will try to cut the ball back away from the endline to create a better shooting angle. Defender should approach in a line that prevents the attacker from doing this, and channels X along the endline towards the goal. *Important that the O does not sit back and open up the line too much so that X can cut in between O and the GK and eliminate both.
• O should be continously focused on protecting his feet, as X will also try to win a corner by placing the ball on the defender’s foot if possible. Defenders in this situation must be patient and avoid getting tempted to lunge to make a tackle at the wrong time, when the attacker might react quickly and win a foul.
• Low, blocking stick angle is preferred while channeling along the endline. 

EVALUATION:

• For the drill to work effectively, the attacker should have a slight advantage positionally so that the defender cannot easily get into position early to block the attacker’s path.
• Communication from the GK is a key element to success here, as with many defensive situations. GK can help by telling the defender to channel the attacker directly along the line into the GK’s space. The GK and defenders should have a common understanding of the space along the endline. For example, a defensive unit says: when an attacker comes within 5m of the goalpost on the endline, the defender should not make a tackle. The GK will come out and play the ball, and defender just protects the cutback.