EXERCISES TO DEVELOP THE SLOW GLYCOLYTIC SYSTEM
Teaching the Back and Midfield Four Defensive Shape
Set-up and Directions: Divide your players into groups of four and pair two groups together. This
exercise uses a playing area that is 20 yards long and 40 yards wide. Place 4 cones approximately 14
yards apart in a horizontal line. Have the players of one group stand at each of these cones (these players
are not allowed to move or enter the playing grid). Place another 4 cones 14 yards apart so that each of
these cones is in line with a cone from the first set but 20 yards away. Instruct the players of the second
group to stand at each of these cones opposite to the players of the first group (these are your defenders).
One of these four defenders should have a ball (Figure 8.6a).
Figure 8.6a Figure 8.6bPlay is initiated by the defender with ball playing a pass into the feet of any of the four players standing at
the top of the grid. In this example, he has passed to the player furthest to his left. At this point, the
leftmost defender applies immediate pressure, while the remaining defenders provide cover and balance
(Figure 8.6b).
The player who receives the ball must take a touch and then pass it to any of the players to their left. In
this example, he has passed it to the player directly to his left (Figure8.6c). When this happens, the
covering defender (second from left) becomes the first defender and immediately applies pressure on the
ball. The remaining defenders then assume positions to provide cover and balance (Figure 8.6c).