Mark the space and the player

WHY USE IT

Puts a defender in a situation where they have a player to mark but also need to prevent a through ball being played.

SET UP

Mark out a rectangular pitch relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Place a gate at each end of the pitch, with two small goals, angled to face inwards, along the sides. An attacker and defender are on the pitch, with a server at each end positioned within the gate.

HOW TO PLAY

A server starts the practice and can pass to the attacker or attempt to play straight to the other server. If the ball is played to the attacker, they then attempt to pass to the other server, who is now unlocked from the gate and can move anywhere along the end line.

Each time the ball is transferred from one server to the other, with or without the help of the attacker, the defender loses a point. If the defender wins the ball, they look to pass it into one of the small goals. On doing so, they win a point. Players then swap roles. The player with the most points wins.

Coaching points

• Can you take up the best position to mark the player and the space?
• Can you anticipate when the player may be about to receive the ball?