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2 v 1 Keep Away in a Grid

©2015, All Original Content, SoccerGameSense LLC
©2015, Animation Software, Easy-Animation.com

In the most basic Keep Away game 2 defenders keep the ball away from 1 opponent in a grid.The grid can be marked in paint or with cones. For older players and adults use a 10 by 10 meter (11 x 11 yard) grid. For youth players have the tallest player pace out 12 giant steps and use that distance.

The emphasis in this game is keeping possession of the ball under pressure from the defender while your teammate moves to get open for a pass or to do a takeover move. The attacker supporting their teammate with the ball should try to:

• Make runs into space on the defenders blindside when the defender is looking at their teammate with the ball. When a defender looks at the ball the blindside is the side of their body they can not see at the same time.
• The attacker with the ball should pass to their teammate and instantly move to a new space. Their teammate should instantly one or two touch the ball back to them. This is called a "give and go pass".
• The attacker supporting the attacker with the ball can make space where they can receive the ball by checking back (running back) to either side of their teammate with the ball and then instantly running to the open space that is created. This is called a "checking run".

When the defender wins the ball the player who lost possession becomes the defender.

This game requires constant movement and focus. To give players a small break and to change the challenge stop the game every 2 minutes and have the attacker who does not have the ball move to the next grid in a clockwise rotation. (See animation below)

When players get tired they lose focus and stop learning so for younger age players only play this game for as long as most of the players can keep their focus. Usually this will be between 6 and 10 minutes.

Clockwise supporting attackers rotation every 2 minutes.
©2015, All Original Content, SoccerGameSense LLC
©2015, Animation Software, Easy-Animation.com

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Rules for Basic Keep Away Games
   6v1, 6v2 Keep Away Circles
   5v1, 5v2 Keep Away Circles
   4v1, 4v2 Keep Away Squares
   3v1, 3v2 Keep Away Triangles
   2v1 Keep Away in a Grid