78-P3 · Skill practice · U12–U14
Defend the Edge of the Box (Back 4)
Defend the Edge of the Box (Back 4) is a skill practice for U12–U14 teams (13 players, 25 × 45 yards) that works on defending, compactness and press and cover.
This defensive practice challenges your team to maintain organisation in the final third while facing an attacking front four.
Opens in Touchtight Club · 14-day free trial · Card required
1:34 - Age group
- U12–U14
- Players
- 13 players
- Area
- 25 × 45 yards (1/4 Pitch)
- Time
- 20–35 minutes
- Practice type
- Skill practice
- Coach level
- Beginner (D Licence)
How it's set up
This practice takes place in a 25 by 45-yard area, with a back four defending against a front four in attack, focusing on maintaining a compact defensive shape in the final third. The attacking team works to break down the defensive line, while defenders aim to stay organised and deny space. If the defending team wins possession and completes a pass to the coach positioned at the top of the pitch, they earn two points. Play restarts with the coach feeding the ball back to the attacking team, ensuring a continuous challenge for the defenders. Switch the defending team after every two attacks, rotate the attackers after every few attacks if you have the numbers.
Key coaching points
- Create a Balanced Press - when one player presses, the other three position to provide support
- Compact Shape – Keep the defensive line tight to reduce gaps for attackers to penetrate
- Line of Engagement – Recognise when to hold the line and when to step up or drop
Also in the full practice
- 1 progression to make it harder as your players improveIn Club
- 3 player questions to check understanding during the practiceIn Club
- The coach-led video (1:34) how to set it up and deliver itIn Club
- Add it to your team's Dugout drop it into a session plan with your warm-up and gameIn Club
Open 78-P3 in Club → 14-day free trial
Run it with your team.
Watch 78-P3 in full, then add it to your next session. It's one of over 1,000 practices in the Touchtight Club library.
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