Setup: Initially serve a through ball to an attacker near the touch about 30 yards from the goal line. The defender is about 10 yards inside the touch. 10-15 yards from the touch near the goalline is a set of cones parallel to the touch about 3 yards apart. The attacker receives the pass and attempts to cut the ball to the inside or dribble the ball to the goalline and deliver a pass through the cones. The defender must try to keep the attacker wide and block any pass through the cones.

Progression: Start with the attacker at the halfway near the touch and a defender about 20 yards from the attacker, also on the halfway. A through ball is served down the touch for the attacker to run onto and attack goal (with keeper). The defender is to recover, then close down and delay the attacker.
* add second defender near the center mark of the halfway
* add second attacker outside of the second attacker
* add third defender (near opposite touch)

Coaching Points:
Recovery - run should initially be towards the near post. The first priority is to get between the attacker and the goal, keeping him/her taking the ball to the middle. Defenders often make the mistake of running at the ball too soon, allowing the attacker to cut to the inside.

Close down - as the defender gets closer to the goalline than the attacker, s/he can start angling towards the ball. Closing down the ball from a position that is not between the attacker and goal may allow the attacker to beat the defender to the near post. Closing down the ball is the defender's second priority.

Delay - once the defender has recovered, then closed down the ball, s/he must slow down the attack until support arrives. The attacker should be shepherded to the outside and kept from cutting to the middle.

Support - normally, support needs between defender and goal and far enough away, that the attacker cannot beat both defenders on one dribble touch and sprint (5-10 yards?!) Support must be able to close down second attacker if pass is made.

Off ball marking - second and third defenders must recover to support first defender and maintain awareness of second attacker.

Comments: The direction and weight of the serve can offset some physical mismatches between attacker and defenders. Make fast defenders recover properly, else they will feel they can run at the ball from any angle because of their speed. The defender's run can be delayed by the coach if necessary.