Work on defensive line speed and communication with the “weakest kink”. Defenders have to adjust their running lines to make sure they are not exposed. Instead of “drilling” the defensive lines, defenders will have to work out the solutions for themselves. A good session as well for attackers to scan where the space is.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 10-15
Warm down time: 5-8

What to think about

Prepare for a mess! Unless your players are highly tuned professionals, they will come up in every shape but a straight line, most of the time. With the stimulus of players in front of them, they will lose connection with their team mates next to them. This session will start the process of connection. Keep asking them what they could do to improve, such as communication, moving up as fast as the slowest player and “sliding” to fill the gaps. However, the chaos will challenge them – but it is very match-realistic.

set-up

1. Come up together as a line, with no gaps for attackers to squeeze through.
2. Cut down the space for the attack, but only as a connected line.

What you get your players to do

Put four defenders facing away from four ball carriers. On your signal, the defenders run to the left or right cone in front of them before turning to close down two nominated ball carriers who are running forward to score without being two hand touched.