Help Your Child See Danger Before It Develops.
The Defending Pack uses 21 real match scenarios to help young players understand when to press, delay, cover, track runners and protect dangerous space.
Our next production run is limited to 50 packs, and 7 have already been reserved. Pre-order now to secure yours from this batch. Estimated production time: 3–4 weeks, plus 3–5 days UK shipping. We'll keep you updated by email throughout the process.
- Secure checkout
- Tracked UK delivery
- Suitable for players aged 9+
- For players, parents and coaches
Real feedback from parents and coaches using Become Unplayable with their players.
"Good concept to inspire players to think about game play away from the club in their own time."
"I love it"
"Excellent great idea"
Good defending starts before the tackle.
Young players are often told to tackle, mark up or get back. But effective defending starts earlier.
Players must recognise danger, protect the right space, understand what their teammates are doing and decide whether to press, delay or recover.
The Defending Pack helps players think through those moments before they happen in a match.
What is the Defending Pack?
A set of match-based football scenario cards designed to help young players understand defensive decisions and explain the thinking behind them.
Scan for attackers, teammates, passing lanes and dangerous space.
Decide whether to press, delay, tackle, cover or recover.
Understand how your position affects the players around you.
Go beyond choosing an answer and discuss why it fits the situation.
What’s Included
Real situations involving pressing, covering, tracking, recovery, positioning and protecting the goal.
Each scenario presents three credible choices rather than one obvious answer.
Turn the card over to compare the options and understand the strongest decision.
Explore when another option could become better if the match situation changed.
Simple guidance to help parents and coaches take each conversation further.
Defend the moment, not just the player.
Every card places the player into a recognisable match situation and asks them to choose what they would do next.
The scenarios cover individual defending, supporting teammates and defending together as a team.
- Delaying an attacker
- Showing inside or outside
- Covering behind a teammate
- Blocking passing lanes
- Tracking runners
- Pressing together
- Recovering after losing possession
- Defending counterattacks
- Holding the defensive line
- Staying compact
- Protecting dangerous space
- Defending corners and crosses
- Deciding when to tackle
- Clearing danger safely
- Scanning before defending
See the Defending Pack Up Close
How It Works
- 1Read the situation
Study the scenario and pitch diagram together.
- 2Make your decision
Choose the action you think is strongest.
- 3Explain why
Talk through what you noticed and what could happen next.
- 4Turn the card over
Compare the points, reasoning and alternative situation.
The best answer depends on the situation.
Each card shows the strongest decision for the exact situation presented. But football is rarely fixed.
A poor touch, a recovering teammate, a different body position or extra pressure on the ball could make another option better.
The back of each card helps players explore those changes rather than simply memorising an answer.
Delay the attacker while teammates recover.
Tackling may become better if the attacker takes a heavy touch and the ball moves away from their feet.
Perfect For
Develop the awareness and confidence to make better defensive decisions.
Have more useful football conversations without needing to be a qualified coach.
Introduce defensive scenarios during team discussions, small-group work or individual development.
The Defending Pack is not only for defenders. Every player has a defensive role when their team loses the ball.
Designed for players ready for the next level of discussion.
The Defending Pack is recommended for players aged 9+ who understand the basic game and are ready to explore positioning, teamwork, pressure and risk in more detail.
Younger players can use the pack with support from a parent or coach, while older players can use the discussion prompts to explore more advanced answers.
FAQ
No. Every player needs to defend when their team loses possession. The scenarios are relevant to defenders, midfielders and attackers.
Pre-order your Defending Pack
Estimated dispatch: 3 to 4 weeks production, plus 3 to 5 working days UK delivery
This is a pre-order from the next production run — you'll be charged today and we'll email you at every stage.
- Secure Checkout
- Updates Throughout Production
- Royal Mail Tracked 48 Delivery