12-4 2v2 plus 2 small-sided game: Two players pressing in coordination - FIFA Training Centre

The wheel symbolises the game, with each segment representing a specific aspect of it. The lightly coloured segments are included in the practice. The darkly coloured segments are emphasised. Lastly, the grey segments represent areas that are not practised.

The intention: What is practised?
This 2v2 plus 2 small-sided game works on the frequently encountered scenario that sees defenders tasked with coordinating their press in a pair whilst staying close to each other to protect central areas. The defending team should protect the space in the middle when the neutral player is in possession, forcing the ball wide. If the ball is played wide, one defender should shift to the ball carrier while the other provides cover behind. The two defenders must approach the opposition by taking small steps in coordination with each other while being alert to triggers that indicate when to intensify their press, such as a poor touch, slow travelling balls and telegraphed passes.

The scale: For whom is this relevant?
The exercise revolves around the unit scale, focusing on the interaction and cooperation between two defenders when denying and protecting. The setup simulates the coordination between two central midfielders aiming to prevent opponents from playing forward, with a specific focus on blocking passes through them. If the defenders are unable to prevent a pass through the middle, they must retreat and attempt to recover the ball. The objective is to prevent the opposition from getting inside the pressing team’s shape and to force them into wide areas instead.

The practice type: How is the practice designed?
The exercise involves a small-sided game that is designed to provide scenarios in which two defending players have to make decisions as a pair. The reduced-sized pitch serves to channel play centrally and encourage short, sharp actions. The mini-goals provide an objective for the in-possession team. Having a neutral player at either end of the exercise area simulates a target beyond the pressing line that the in-possession team are tasked with finding. The defending team are challenged to ensure that no passing lanes are created for the opposition to receive the ball. The neutral players must remain in their respective three-metre zones at all times, and they support the attacking team by teeing up attackers for a close-range finish that defenders try to quickly track back to block.

Basic sequence: A 2v2 scenario is played out in the middle zone.

Organisation

Lay out a 10m x 20m exercise area.
Mark out a 3-metre-long zone at either end of the exercise area.
Place 2 mini-goals at either end of the exercise area.
Split the players into 2 teams of 2.
Assign 2 neutral players (greys) and position 1 of them in each 3-metre zone.

Explanation

The exercise starts with a neutral player in possession.
The neutral player passes to an in-possession team player, who tries to combine with their team-mate to play through the opposition.
The in-possession team’s objective is to play the ball into the neutral player at the opposite end of the exercise area before receiving a return pass and finishing into either mini-goal.
The out-of-possession team try to prevent the in-possession team from playing through them and look to win the ball. If they manage to do so, the teams swap roles immediately.
The neutral players cannot leave the 3-metre zone and can only pass the ball backwards when acting as the target player.
Players should be rotated after a set period of time to ensure that they get to experience all roles.

Key coaching points

(1/4) Bad practice: when the ball is with the neutral player, the defending players should avoid opening passing lines into the neutral player at the opposite end

(2/4) Good practice: by keeping compact and reducing the distance between one another, the defending players can force the neutral player to pass wide.

(3/4) Good practice: as the ball travels, the defender should jump out to press provided they are within a good distance to apply pressure on the ball-carrier.

(4/4) If the attacking team succeed in playing the ball to the neutral player at the opposite end, the defenders must be quick to react to close down the space, on their backs, the two attackers will look to exploit in order to score in the mini-goals.

Roles of coaches

First coach: leads the exercise and coaches the pressing players.
Second coach: feeds balls into the neutral players from their position on one side of the exercise area.
Third coach: encourages players from their position at one end of the exercise area and intervenes to coach the pressing team.