Staggered Defense: One Defender In at a Time
Futsal waves in which four attackers go against one defender, and another defender joins every 4 seconds. Students practice delaying the attack while help arrives and, on offense, finishing quickly before the defense gets organized.
How to play
- Set up two 100 x 60 ft fields with a small goal and a goalie at one end. On each field, form an attacking group of 4 and a defending group of 4 plus a goalie; the rest wait to rotate in (3 min).
- The attackers start from the far end line with the ball. At the same moment, the first defender comes in from midfield.
- Every 4 seconds, the teacher or a student blows the whistle, and another defender enters from the sideline until it is 4 on 4.
- The wave ends with a goal, a steal, or the ball going out. A goal at 4 on 1 or 4 on 2 is 1 point for the offense; a steal before 4 on 3 is 2 points for the defense.
- Run 6 waves per group, then switch roles and rotate the goalie too (12 min).
- Wrap-up for 3 minutes: what should the first defender do, go for the steal or delay and close the middle?
Rules
- No tackling from behind and no sliding on the floor.
- Waiting defenders enter only on the whistle and from their own sideline.
- Safety: shots must come from outside a 10 ft zone to protect the goalie.
Variations
Easier
A defender enters every 6 seconds, and the first defender may only delay, not steal.
Standard
Four attackers against defenders who enter every 4 seconds.
Harder
A defender enters every 3 seconds, and the offense must make at least two passes before shooting.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student gives the signal for each defender or plays goalie with a narrower goal.
- Hearing impairment: each defender's entry is also signaled by raising a colored cone.
- Fitness level: the student can enter as the last defender, who covers less distance.
Learning goals
- Delay the attack to give help time to arrive.
- Finish quickly while outnumbering the defense.
- Coordinate each defender's arrival with the one before.
Equipment for a class of 25
- futsal balls: 4
- small goals: 2
- cones: 12
- pinnies: 13
Teacher tip
The first defender almost always dives in for the steal and gets beaten by a pass; insist that they backpedal while facing the ball. Use a phone timer or count out loud so the intervals stay even.
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