Delay and deny
Age phase: U8-U11
Session plan
Session overview Delay and deny
Level Part 2: Recovering defender phase of play KEY
• U8-U11 • This is a phase of play set up with a goal and Ball movement
goalkeeper at one end, and an end zone at the other.
• An attacking unit of three initially attacks against two Player movement
Session objectives defenders, and has 10 seconds in which to score past without the ball
the goalkeeper.
To develop young players’ understanding of how and • The defending team has two more defenders, who Player movement
when to delay and deny when defending, including: when play starts must sprint around wide cones before with the ball
recovering to join their two teammates against the
• Body shape to show play into wide areas three attackers.
• Pressing together to restrict space • The practice is designed so the two deeper defenders
• Creating tackling and blocking chances must delay and deny the attack while waiting for their
Players
teammates to recover.
• Teams should swap between blocks so all players get a
Part 1: 2v2 defending game chance to defend.
Cones
• This is a really simple 2v2 defending game designed to
build in some of the key principles when defending in Part 3: Themed attack v defence game
Flat marker
1v1 or underloaded situations.
• The pitch is split into quarters, with the two defenders • This is a themed attack v defence game played across
fixed in their quarter; this means they will face different two halves, each of which features a 3v3 plus neutral
types of situation depending on where the two player who plays for the attacking team. Cones with
attackers, who are free to move anywhere, decide to go. • The attackers in the first half will be attempting to score flat marker
• The two teams should switch roles between blocks, so a goal within 15 seconds, utilising the 4v3 overload to
all players get an opportunity to defend. so. The defenders are challenged to prevent a goal.
• If the attacking team succeeds in scoring within the Goal
time limit, they receive another ball and get to attack
the same goal again.
• If they fail, a new ball is played into the three attackers Mini-goal
from the other team in the other half.
• The coaches should keep score both within each block
and across blocks, to keep the game competitive.
Mannequin Pole
Football
Age phase: U8-U11
2v2 defending game Delay and deny
Function C
• This is a 2v2 defending game that can use up to as 1
many as 16 players.
A
• It is played in a small area of 22 yards by 16 yards, which B
is split into quarters, as shown in the diagram. Two 2
A
mini-goals are positioned at each end, also as shown. A 3 B B
16 yards
• Two groups of players are split evenly and start in two
A
lines in between the mini-goals. A B B
• The coach (C) begins each attack by passing into the
A B
designated attacking team. Here, that is Team A.
• The two players on the defending team (Team B) are
locked into their defensive quarter.
• The Team A players can move freely in any quarter.
• Team A should attempt to score in either of their target
mini-goals within 10 seconds of receiving. They will 22 yards
score one point if they do so.
• If Team B manages to stop Team A from scoring within
the time limit, they will score two points.
• A bonus goal can be scored if the defenders force
Team A into making a backwards pass.
• If a goal is scored or the ball leaves the pitch, players
will join the back of their groups for the practice to
continue with the next pairs on each team.
• Play for eight blocks of 90 seconds, with the teams
switching roles for each new block.
Age phase: U8-U11
2v2 defending game Delay and deny
Coaching detail:
Out of possession
Steal or delay
• Defenders have to make the constant decision of
whether to steal the ball or delay the attack.
• They should be looking at the ball at all times,
recognising if it’s possible to try to win it or if they need
to delay the attack and run the clock down.
Restricting space
• The two defenders should try to get as high as possible
in their defending quarter. This will give them space
in behind to drop into if they need more time to make
their defending decision.
Approach and balance
• When approaching the ball, the defenders should slow
their speed down and be in a position where they are
balanced and can change direction quickly in order to
react to the attackers’ movements.
Age phase: U8-U11
Recovering defender phase of play Delay and deny
Function B B
A B
• This practice gives the coach a chance to give further
detail on defensive principles in a game-realistic design. A 1 B
• It is played on a pitch measuring 45 yards by 25 yards. A
2
There is a goal and goalkeeper at one end, and a narrow
end zone at the other.
25 yards
• Players are split into two teams. The attacking team – A
here, Team A, has one player who always starts in the
middle of the pitch. The remaining players are split into 3
two groups in the end zone.
• The defending team (Team B) has a group of players A B
either side of the goal, and another group of players by A
B
flat markers within the pitch – as shown in the diagram. A
• Play begins with one of the two attackers in the end B B
zone dribbling into the main playing area. A second
attacker from the end zone should enter play with them.
45 yards
• This triggers runs from the front player from each of the
four separate defending groups – one from either side
of the goal and one from behind each flat marker. The
latter two must sprint around te cones higher up the
pitch before being able to defend.
• Team A has 10 seconds in which to score, initially in a
3v2 scenario. Once the receiving defenders get back
into position, the defending team has a 4v3 overload.
• The practice is designed to encourage the attackers to
attack quickly and challenges the two deeper defenders
to delay and deny the attack in order for the recovering
defenders to regain their shape.
• If the defending team wins the ball back, they must try
to run the ball into the end zone to score a point.
• Play for six blocks of three minutes, with the teams
swapping roles between blocks. Teams should also
rotate starting positions between blocks so all players
get to play in both defending roles.
Age phase: U8-U11
Recovering defender phase of play Delay and deny
Coaching detail:
Out of possession
Showing the ball into wide areas
• When defending underloaded, the deeper defenders
should look to show the attackers into wide areas.
• This will delay the attack and allow the recovering
defenders to get back into position, while also
narrowing off the angle to goal.
Body shape
• In 1v1 situations, defenders should have a side-on body
shape and not square. This will encourage the attacker
to one side and make it easier for the defender to
change direction if they need to.
Emergency defending
• As the defenders are initially underloaded, they must
time their tackles and blocks to avoid fouling the
attackers. In games, this can lead to dangerous free-
kicks in and around the penalty area.
Communication
• The coach should try to introduce basic communication
skills to the young players, such as “get tight” and
“show outside”. This will help them work together in
defensiv situations.
Age phase: U8-U11
Themed attack v defence game Delay and deny
Function
6
• This is a themed game played on a pitch divided into
halves.
• It is set up as a 3v3 (plus goalkeepers) in each half, as A
5
shown in the diagram. A neutral player (N) in each half
plays for whichever team is in possession. B A
• The coaches (C) will always serve the ball into the A
B 4
attacking team.
• Play begins with a coach playing into the attacking 2
B
1
players in one of the halves. The attacking team has 15 N 3
C
seconds in which to score a goal. They should look to
50 yards
use the neutral player to exploit the 4v3 overload. N
1
C
• If the attacking team fails to score within 15 seconds, a
new ball will be played into the attacking team in the A
2
opposite half. B
• If they do score within the 15 seconds, they get another A
ball from the coach and get to attack again. 3
A
• The bottom half of the diagram shows Team A failing
to score against Team B, who force play wide, win the 4
B B
ball and clear away from the pitch. The top half of the
diagram shows Team B then attacking in the opposite 5
half, and using the overload to score.
• Play for eight blocks of two minutes, with players
swapping roles within their teams between blocks.
• Keep scores throughout to ensure the practice remains 40 yards
competitive.
Age phase: U8-U11
Themed attack v defence game Delay and deny
Coaching detail:
Out of possession
Halving the pitch
• The three defenders in each half should look to lock
the ball to one side of the pitch. If they do so, all three
defenders should look to fill that half, to restrict space
and make it difficult for the attackers to progress or
switch play.
Pressing together
• If one defender recognises an opportunity to press in
attempt to steal the ball, it’s essential that the covering
defenders press with that player. This should ensure no
spaces are left for the attackers to play around.
No split passes
• The three defenders should limit space in between
themselves in order to stop passes going through them.
They should try to force the attackers to play around
them, as it will take longer to work a shooting chance.
Age phase: U8-U11
