Protect the Ball — Hold, Turn and Escape
A contact-based 1v1 practice focused on ball protection rather than immediately beating a defender. The attacker receives with pressure behind, secures the ball and uses a controlled turn to escape through a side gate.
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Organization
Create 10x8m boxes with two escape gates on the side lines. Attacker receives a pass with defender starting close behind. The attacker must protect for at least two seconds before turning and escaping through either gate.
Coaching Points
Wide balanced base on contact | Keep the ball on the far foot | Use body and arm legally to feel pressure | Turn away from the defender’s strongest side | Accelerate immediately after the turn
Progressions
- Remove the two-second protection rule and let the attacker decide whether to hold or spin immediately.
Regressions
- Defender applies passive pressure and cannot tackle until the attacker starts the turn.
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