Man Marking Game

Objective:

To establish both the individual and team discipline required for successful defending;
To establish good 1 vs. 1 defending habits;
To practice reading the game (Sweeper Role); to encourage attackers to "elude" tight marking.

Target:

To outsmart your individual marking opponent both in attack and defense. As a team, to outscore the opposition.

Organization

Field sized according to numbers and ages (approximately 50 x 40 yards) with halfway line.
Goals/poles are set up (4 yards wide).
Squad is split up evenly (e.g., 5 vs. 5).
Every player is assigned a "Partner Opponent" from opposing team.
One "pair" split to become the sweepers. “Sweepers" are changed every four or five minutes.
Each player can only mark and challenge his assigned opponent.
The sweeper can challenge anyone.
No one can challenge the sweeper.
"Sweepers" are restricted to their own half of the field, and are limited to "two touches" maximum on each ball contact.
Interceptions (not challenges/tackles) are permitted by anyone.
No one is allowed to handle the ball.

Teaching

Encourage players to challenge their opponent without "diving in" and being left trailing.
Make each player aware of "opponent" at all times.
When the attack breaks down have former "attacker" react immediately by attempting to recover to defending position "goal-side" of opponent.
Encourage players to get forward to score.
Encourage player caught "wrong side" to get back if a teammate loses the ball, but don't criticize them if they are caught out when trying to make a positive forward run.
Encourage the "sweepers" to block an attack or to be available for a back pass from own team.

Progressions