Riding is offensive pressure on the clear. This drill teaches young players to funnel the ball and force bad passes.
Equipment needed: 6 cones, 2 balls, 6 sticks.
Setup: Mark the defensive zone with cones. One defender has the ball. Two riders (offensive players) line up 5 yards away, ready to apply pressure.
How to run it:
- Defender tries to clear the ball. Riders close on the ball carrier and the first pass option, funneling the clear toward a specific area.
- Riders don’t hack or slash. They’re closing space and forcing quick decisions.
- If the defender completes the clear, riders reset and the defender tries again.
- Do 6 reps per rider pair.
What to look for:
Riders should be closing hard but under control. If they over-commit, the defense passes around them. The riders should communicate about who covers which gaps. If both riders chase the ball, the first pass option is open. Riders should funnel the clear toward the sideline or toward waiting midfielders.
Variation: Add a third rider. Three offensive players now apply pressure. This teaches spacing and communication among multiple pressuring players.