Season planning: Organising your defence

Organising your players at the back is vital to the ability of your team to compete in matches. Your defenders must be able to react to the play in front of them and move accordingly. Whatever defensive formation you set up, your players will need to be able to recover to deal with the different situations on the pitch

How to defend overloads as an individual and Screen positions show how a pivot player sits in the screen position, which shields the defence. The beauty of the session is the simple way a young player can learn the role, and it has a great graphic that will help your players understand.

Now focus on the art of centre-backs in your defence. How to defend at corners and Team shape via central defenders take the defenders into situations that require them to concentrate on maintaining their positions. The defending a corner session should be a blueprint for defending any set pieces in and around the area.

Finally, a good way of getting players to recognise their responsibilities within the defensive structure is to get them out of position then with something like a counter attack see if they know where to get back to in order to defend their goal. Position decisions is one of my favourite sessions for this.

Position decisions

in Defending, Small Sided Games

This session is about defending counter attacks when the players are out of balance or disorganised MORE

How to defend at corners

in Defending, Set pieces

This session looks at the roles of defenders and the goalkeeper in corner kick situations. It’s vital that, when setting up to defend a corner, each man knows his exact task, working as an individual and as part of a bigger unit within the penalty area. MORE

Team shape via central defenders

in Attacking, Tactics

This session will get young centre-backs surging out of defence with the ball to set up attacks – this gives your attacking players chance to get into goal scoring positions in the final third MORE

How to defend overloads as an individual

in Defending, Tips and advice

Defending in different overload situations is vital for a strong defender who can repel attackers. MORE

Screen Position

in Other, Tactics

Screen position is the term given to a midfielder who works just in front of the defence. MORE