Block Passing Lane in Soccer

Field size: 30 yards by 10 yards

Number of players: full team with four players working in a group

Age range: 10-12

Description: One player serves the ball to a target player about 15 to 20 yards away. The defender gets read to pressure the target player while another player moves along the baseline getting ready to receive a pass.

Once the ball is served into the target player, the defender rushes to pressure the target player as soon as the ball is served in.  The defender tries to close down the space, but mainly tries to block the passing channel back to the player on the baseline. 

The run towards the target player should always be with the mindset that they can block the passing lane. So the defender makes a run towards the target player that ensure they can’t play the ball back to other attacking player. 

If defender can win the ball he goes ahead and wins it or tackles the target player before they can make a pass, but the defender is more looking to block the pass, make the target player put their head down, and make the player take more touches. All of this is good, since in a game it would enable teammates to get in better positions.  There’s no limit on touches in this drill.

Setup this drill much like a triangle, with the server at one point, and then the target player and then finally the other attacking player. The defender starts next to the server.

Let the game evolve into a three versus one game, with the offensive team trying to connect ten passes.

Equipment needed: Cones and practice vests.