Send Them Backwards

Teach a defending unit that success isn't only winning the ball — it's killing progress. Compact shape, patient jockeying and well-timed pressure that turn the attack around and send it backwards.

Mark a 50x36 yard area. The attacking team (6) plays towards two 8-yard cone gates on the far end line; the defending unit (5) protects them in a 2-3 shape. The coach stands behind the defence and counts backwards/square passes aloud. Spare balls at the attackers' end.

1. Attackers score 1 by passing or dribbling through either end gate.
2. Defenders score 1 every time the attack is forced into three consecutive backwards or square passes — the coach's count restarts on any forward pass.
3. Defenders also score by winning the ball and finding their target line (the attackers' start line) within three passes — worth 2.
4. No diving in inside the first two seconds of each press: pressure, angle, and patience force the turn-around.
5. Play 2-minute rounds and total the points; swap the units every other round.

• Press the front foot, show them sideways — never let the line break behind you.
• Squeeze as the ball goes back: every backwards pass is a signal to step up.
• Stay connected — 8 to 10 yards between defenders, shifting as one.
• Talk constantly: 'force back', 'step', 'hold' — the count is a team effort.

• Defenders sprint to win the ball, get beaten, and the attack pours forward — reframe the goal out loud: forcing a back pass IS winning.
• The unit forces one back pass then relaxes and lets the attack reset forward — the count is consecutive, so the press must keep its grip.
• Gaps open between the two lines and the attack plays through instead of backwards — measure the 8-10 yard distances during the freeze.

• Require four consecutive backwards/square passes for the point.
• Add a second line of gates mid-pitch the attack must pass through first, making the defensive block defend two lines.
• Let attackers add a seventh player but allow the defence to score from any turnover.

• Count any two backwards/square passes for the point.
• Reduce to five attackers.
• Pause after each defensive point and let the unit explain what forced it.

• Three consecutive backwards or square passes by the attack = 1 point to the defenders.
• Defenders may not tackle in the first two seconds of a press — force, don't dive.