Shepherding your opponent

Organisation

• Divide the attackers between 3 stations located on the edge of the penalty area (1 on the right, 1 centrally and 1 on the left) and ask them to dribble the ball towards the opposite goal. 

• Set up a station with defenders behind the goal being attacked.

• Mark out an attacking corridor using cones.

• Give each attacker a ball so that the next player is able to attack as soon as the previous player has completed the sequence.

• Create 1v1 situations.

Explanation 

• A defender stationed behind the goal being attacked enters the pitch to defend against an attacker who tries to dribble past them at pace.

• The defender should shepherd the attacker away from goal to prevent the attacker from scoring.

Coaching points

• Encourage the defenders to adopt the right body orientation to shepherd their opponent towards either flank. The defenders should position themselves at a 45‑degree angle to their opponent.

• The defenders should try to keep their back to goal and their opponent in front of them at all times. Players should defend with their back to goal.

• This exercise allows players to work on the timing of their tackles to try to win the ball at the right time.