Defending

Defensive Shape — Compact Mid-Block Introduction

Set your defensive unit — back four and midfield four — and walk through the mid-block shape

Theme

Defending

Duration

24 min

Players (min–rec–max)

11–11–11

Equipment

cones, bibs, balls

Set-up

Set your defensive unit — back four and midfield four — and walk through the mid-block shape. Coach feeds ball to attackers, defence holds structure. Slow it down, show them what 'compact' looks like before we run it at speed.

Coaching points

Defensive line and midfield line must stay within 20 yards of each other — squeeze the space
When the ball is wide, near side midfielder tracks the runner, far side tucks in
No one ball-watches; everyone shifts with the ball

Progressions

Remove the walkthrough — play at 75% with live attackers
Add a transition trigger: when defence wins ball, counter in three passes