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Defending drills and games

The defensive soccer drills and games in this section will help you coach your players to work as a unit at the back. We look at how your players should organise themselves, what are their roles and responsibilities as defenders, and how they should react in different defensive situations.

With work, you should be able to coach your players to control the game at the back and to start great passing moves leading to goals at the other end.

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Practice: Winning the ball in midfield

This session replicates situations where midfielders can find themselves outnumbered and a timely tackle is needed to stop the move in it...

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Practice 1: Counter pressing

Three-part session on a key facet of the modern game - reacting to win back possession.

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Pressing to dictate

Work on the pressing of the front three to force the play in a particular direction.

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Warm up: Pressing and covering

This three-part session develops players’ awareness of pressing and covering as a unit.

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Small-sided game: Pressing and covering

This three-part session develops players’ awareness of pressing and covering as a unit.

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Small-sided game: Staying on the ball

Allow your players to develop confidence and technique in this three-part session.

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Step up to win the ball

Encourages players to push out of defence to claim possession of the ball before it reaches dangerous areas.

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Christmas characters

Players select a festive-themed name and then battle for the ball during 1v1s, 2v2s or 3v3s in this exciting game.

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Small-sided game: Recover and regroup

This session develops players out-of-possession, working on delaying, denying and dictating.

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Solid defensive core

Give your back line a good work-out and ensure they can block any move from wide.

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Practice: Recover and regroup

This session develops players out-of-possession, working on delaying, denying and dictating.

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Warm-up: Recover and regroup

This session develops players out-of-possession, working on delaying, denying and dictating.

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Small-sided game: On the receiving end

This three-part session will develop your players’ ability to receive the ball, ready to shoot.

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Practice 1: Delay for support

Three-part session to develop defenders’ ability to delay their opponents until help arrives.

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Practice 2: Delay for support

Three-part session to develop defenders’ ability to delay their opponents until help arrives.

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Practice 3: Delay for support

Three-part session to develop defenders’ ability to delay their opponents until help arrives.

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Practice 1: Winning the ball

Three-part session to master the ‘four S’s’ of defending – sprint, slow down, side-on, steal.

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Practice 2: Winning the ball

Three-part session to master the ‘four S’s’ of defending – sprint, slow down, side-on, steal.

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Practice 3: Winning the ball

Three-part session to master the ‘four S’s’ of defending – sprint, slow down, side-on, steal.

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Repetition circuit

Two areas, side-by-side, allows for dynamic 1v2 action to develop a wide range of skills.

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Combat 2v2

Players are challenged to attack quickly, and be compact when defending, in this activity.

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Stealing the ball

Provides opportunities for your players to work on their ability to successfully intercept a pass.

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Anticipate to intercept

Develops your players’ ability to judge accurately when a forward pass is there to be cut out.

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Intercept and convert

An activity that rewards players for cutting out the ball and then making the most of it.

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Defending drills and games

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