Defensive Shadow Drill

Set Up: Use as much space as possible, and have players 15 yards apart in pairs with one ball between them.

Activity: 1) Player passes ball out, and 2) sprints out in an arced run to "Close Down" attacker. 3) Defender "Slows Down" as they approach attacker so as to not outrun them, and "Shows Down" or gets into a staggered, side-on athletic stance. 4) Attacker dribbles and works on their moves going forward as defender SHADOWS them and works on pivoting as attacker moves forward and side to side.

Coaching Points: "Close down, Slow down, Show down, Shut down", close down run must be arced to take away one side of field, when defender pivots to adjust to attacker's advances, they must overcompensate and move to cut off other side from attacker. Don't take the ball away!