Pressure and cover: 2v2 soccer defending drill

Pressure and cover 2v2: setup diagram

At a glance

Change the size of the area to fit your group: bigger makes it easier for the player with the ball, smaller makes it harder. Everyone who goes out comes straight back in, and nobody runs laps.

How to run it

1. Mark a field 20 yards wide and 25 long. Attackers score by dribbling over the defenders’ end line.
2. The defenders pass the ball to the attackers and come out together.
3. The defender nearest the ball presses, side on. The partner drops behind them at an angle, close enough to help and able to see the second attacker.
4. When the ball is passed across, the jobs swap: the cover becomes the press, and the first defender drops to cover.
5. Defenders who win the ball score by passing to the coach or dribbling over the far line. Change roles every minute.

Coaching points to say out loud

• “Ball travels, we travel.”
• “I’ve got ball!” “I’ve got cover!”
• “Cover: behind and inside.”
• “Do not both go.”

Make it easier or harder

• Easier

  Attackers may only walk for the first few turns, so the defenders can practice swapping.

• Harder

  Play 3v2 so the defenders must also slow the attack down. Or add small goals for the attackers.

Common mistakes

• Both defenders pressing the ball, so one pass beats them both.
• The cover standing flat, level with the presser. Then a ball between them is a goal.
• Silence. The two calls, “ball” and “cover”, do half the work.

Why it matters in a game

A back four, a midfield pair and a futsal team all defend on this idea. Our lessons on cover and on pressure and cover put it in a full team: one player puts pressure on the ball, and another looks after the next danger.

The lesson that teaches it: One Presses, One Covers.

Questions about Pressure and cover 2v2

• What is pressure and cover in soccer?

  Two defenders sharing the work. One goes to the ball to pressure it. The other stands behind, ready to step in if the first is beaten or to pick up the pass.

• How far behind should the covering defender be?

  A few yards, at an angle toward the goal. Close enough to challenge if the presser is beaten, not so deep that the second attacker has free space.

• What age can learn it?

  From about U10. Younger players are still learning to defend one against one, which comes first.

Lessons that teach this idea

• One Presses, One Covers (9v9 lesson)Approach the ball with support behind; adjust cover when the attack moves.
• Who Goes, Who Helps? (11v11 lesson)Decide together. One player puts pressure on the ball; another looks after the next danger.
• Delay and Cover (Futsal lesson)One defender approaches under control while a teammate protects the dangerous pass.
• Touchline Press: Close the Return (Futsal lesson)Coordinate a wide press with a teammate screening the inside return.

Related drills and guides

• 1v1 defending (drill)It trains the approach to the ball: fast at first, then slow, low and side on, steering the attacker to one side.
• Recover goal-side (drill)It trains the recovery run: running toward your own goal first and challenging only once you are goal-side.
• Rondo 4v2 (drill)It trains the attackers to find the pass between the two defenders, and the defenders to press and cover as a pair.
• 3v2 to goal (drill)It trains finding the free player: the attackers must draw a defender to the ball and pass to the teammate left open.
• Pressing (soccer term)Closing down the player on the ball
• Center back in soccerThe defender who protects the middle
• Marking (soccer term)Staying with an opponent
• Goal-side (soccer term)Between the attacker and your own goal
• U10 soccer drills for 9 and 10 year oldsTen drills for 9 and 10 year olds: rondos, first touch, 2v1 and first goalkeeping
• U12 soccer drills for 11 and 12 year oldsTen drills for 11 and 12 year olds: 4v2 rondos, possession, defending in pairs and finishing
• All 1v1 defending drillsStaying goal-side, slowing the attacker and winning the ball.