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.
in Defending, Email newsletters
One of the most important topics in defensive play is compactness. A key principle of compactness is that the playing area of the opposition is minimised so there is less space for them to attack in. Give your players a lesson in compactness MORE
This drill reinforces the basic principles of two-player defending. It is ideal for coaching your players to close down space, provide cover and force the play in one direction. MORE
Please check out the latest sport and social distancing guidelines in your area, and follow the recommendations when planning training sessions. Use this 4+4 v 4 box to give your back four a good work out in blocking passing lanes MORE
This is all about teamwork and teammates using the ball or stopping opponents from winning it. Press hard and the defenders will win the three balls in the fastest time – the clock starts ticking the second the first ball is kicked so players must move quickly. MORE
in Defending, Midfield, Tactics
Central defenders and supporting players have a vital role in stopping the opposition’s build up play. Players will work on the defending angle of approach to try and force the attacker away MORE
A fun game that will encourage your defenders to be calm on the ball and confident in their passing. Having a defender cool enough to keep calm under pressure is an asset. This activity will help stop your defenders from panicking. MORE
Use this session to help defenders to decide whether to hold up play or win the ball when outnumbered, often the attacker will have their head down looking at the ball – the defender can hold a goalside position so the attacker has to look up which is the best time to force a mistake MORE
in Defending, Small Sided Games
This is an effective training session to teach your wingers to drop back into defence to help the team in order to double up on attackers and win the ball MORE
Pivot players are big news. Do you play with one or two? Against weaker teams one is enough but against stronger teams you're better off with two. But how do you know at grassroots level what your team needs? Check this out MORE
in Defending, Email newsletters
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure than Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. MORE
This trio of overload attacking and defending possession drills is demanding for defenders but the rewards for winning possession is to give their team a player advantage. MORE
in Defending, Small Sided Games
Central defenders working together with a keeper and a defensive midfielder is a good way control the dangerous areas in front of goal and repel attacks away from that area. MORE
in Attacking, Defending, Small Sided Games
This training session is a good workout for forwards pressing and forcing mistakes high up the pitch. It also helps to develop link play in the final third. MORE
in Defending, Set pieces
Here’s a set-up I have used for defending a right-footed outswinging corner, with each player being afforded a defined role. If defenders are successful in repelling the threat, they can look to break forward and score in either of the two goals positioned on the halfway line. MORE
in Defending, Email newsletters
It may sound like I am being negative suggesting ways to stop teams passing but study any of the successful teams around the world and you will see the hard work that goes into stopping teams passing through or around midfields and defences. MORE
If your players can improve their individual defending when man marking and tracking their opponent’s runs, your team is far less likely to concede goals. MORE
Defenders can reduce the threat on their goal by keeping the other team’s forwards facing the opposite direction and moving them away from the penalty area. Use this session to enhance your defenders’ skills at closing down attackers and clearing the danger without necessarily making a tackle. MORE
Dealing with crosses as part of a defensive unit is a large part of a goalkeeper’s job. That, is why it is vital to spend time on the practice ground helping your goalkeeper with their positioning, communication and punching and catching skills. “The cross collector” shows you how. MORE
This session will help school your players in defending against the many difficult situations that arise from opponents launching long balls down the pitch. MORE
Use this training session to coach your midfielders how to win possession by quickly closing down the opposition and pressing the player with the ball. MORE
The role of a sweeper is given to a player that plays behind the line of defenders. It is that player’s duty to cover the space behind and sweep across to remove the danger of the opponent’s attacks. This is how you can develop the use of a “minesweeper” in your team. MORE
in Defending, Small Sided Games
Reacting to quick transitions is key to this session, as is holding onto the ball under pressure. This includes using clever play to shield the ball and get passes away. MORE
Not all players enjoy defending so it is essential practices are competitive, fun and give the player a reward for winning the ball (the chance to score a goal!) Encourage your defenders to make “First contact” in the bid to thwart an attack. MORE
Teaching your players how to block or intercept an opposition forward pass will help your team regain possession of the ball. Remember – you can’t concede a goal if you have the ball. MORE
