Set Up:

Two teams line up at corners of the narrow field, diagonally across from one another. The defending team starts with the soccer balls. Defenders begin play with a pass across the field to the attacker, and follow the pass in to defend 1v1. They may NOT tackle the ball. They simply try to stay in between the attacker and the end line while maintaining a 3-5 yard space. The attacker tries to beat the defender 1v1 and dribble over the opposite end line. After 3 minutes, the teams switch roles.

Coaching Points:

1.  Close the distance between you and the attacker while the ball is still rolling.

2.  Pressure the ball in order to slow the attacker's run and getting his head down.

3.  Control your speed as you get close to the attacker.

Progressions:

1.  Allow defender to try and win the ball off attacker. If ball is won, defender can then try to dribble over attacker’s end line for a point.