Futbol Island

11v11 lesson · Keep the team connected · Intermediate

Can We Win It Back?

Challenge when the ball is there to win. If the chance has gone, get back and protect your goal.

What the coach says

  1. You’ve just lost the ball. Look at the opponent and the teammates who can help.
  2. The carrier is close enough to approach, and a teammate can cover behind you.
  3. You’re the nearest midfielder. What fits this picture?
  4. Get close without diving in. Your teammate stays behind you in case the ball gets away.
  5. You can approach the carrier while a teammate protects the space behind you.
  6. Reset the midfielders so we can compare a carrier who has already escaped the pressure.
  7. This time the opponent keeps the ball and has moved beyond you.
  8. The opponent is past you. Where should your next run take you?
  9. Turn and recover toward goal. You’re getting back into a position to help.
  10. Challenge when the ball is there to win. If the chance has gone, get back and protect your goal.

Quiz questions

Try to answer before you read the coach’s explanation. On the island you answer each one on the pitch.

  1. Question 1

    You’re the nearest midfielder. What fits this picture?

    • Drop into a position nearer our goal
    • Step toward the ball carrier

    Coach’s explanation: You can approach the carrier while a teammate protects the space behind you.

  2. Question 2

    The opponent is past you. Where should your next run take you?

    • Chase the carrier from behind
    • Recover to the goal side of the carrier

    Coach’s explanation: Recovering goal-side helps protect the next attack. Chasing from the wrong side leaves more space ahead of the carrier.

  3. Question 3

    True or false? The carrier is close, so the nearest midfielder should dive in with a tackle straight away.

    • False
    • True

    Coach’s explanation: It's false. Get close without diving in, so the carrier can't simply go past you.

  4. Question 4

    Put the decision after losing the ball in order, from first to last.

    • Close enough with cover: approach
    • Look at the carrier and your helpers
    • The carrier escapes past you
    • Turn and recover toward goal

    Coach’s explanation: Look first, press while the ball can be won, and recover once the carrier escapes.

  5. Question 5

    Now the carrier escapes past you on the right side. Tap where your recovery run should end.

    • Chase behind the carrier
    • Goal side of the carrier
    • Stay high near halfway

    Coach’s explanation: Recovering goal side puts you between the ball and goal, so you can help again.

  6. Question 6

    Their carrier takes a heavy touch, and the ball rolls toward you. What do you do?

    • Step in and win the ball
    • Turn and run back toward goal
    • Wait and watch the carrier

    Coach’s explanation: The ball is loose and close to you, so this is the moment to win it back.

Play it on the island