Defending
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, Other, Tactics
The practice allows you to start to introduce the idea of how multiple units on the field start to work and interact with each other. It also introduces the idea of recovering once the ball passes you on the field. MORE
in Defending, Warm Ups
In this set up players are racing against each other in a fun game that you can use at training or on match days. Great one to get the players alert and ready for anything MORE
in Defending, Small Sided Games
A good fullback will force flashy wingers wide in order to stop them from putting your goal under threat. Use this game to show your defenders what to do MORE
in Defending, Tips and advice
It is vital in team play that players can cover each other so if any of them are beaten, there is always another player for an attacker to get past. Use this session to teach your players defensive covering MORE
in Defending, Formations
This session is all about breaking down the 3-5-2 system being used by many teams. It is about applying immediate pressure to the opposition when they have the ball. To win the ball back as quickly as possible and then punish them on the counter attack. MORE
in Defending, Tips and advice
Whether your defenders are working individually or as a unit, they should always understand how to defend against a counterattack in small numbers. Here are 4 tips to help defending in small groups MORE
in Defending, Tips and advice
Working as a team you defence can keep a two-man attack with the addition of wingers at bay with a back three, that coaches the players to work together to cover all the angles of attack MORE
in Defending, Tactics
When your players are defending a two-man attack in small numbers, use this activity to show them how they are individually responsible for stopping the opposition threat MORE
in Defending, Practice plans
In November 2008 we looked at defending individually and in 2s and 3s. This session pulls all of the techniques into a single session where defenders face an increasing number of attackers with each ball. MORE
in Defending, Practice plans
This session introduces your young players to the principles of defending by disguising the theme of the practice through the competitive nature of fun team games. Giving them a proper structure and the correct tactical approach will make their role as a defender much more rewarding and will save your team lots of goals. MORE
in Defending, Tips and advice
If you want to win matches, you need smart defenders. A great deal of the time they will have to play their part in defending as a team, but there will also be other times when they will have to defend as individuals. 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
in Defending, Tips and advice
Defending in different overload situations is vital for a strong defender who can repel attackers. MORE
in Defending, Tips and advice
If the opposition has a player like Harry Kane who can shoot from all around the final third of the pitch you will find it hard to stop him scoring – here’s 8 tips to help you stop him MORE
in Defending, Tactics
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
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two end zones, 10 yards in from each goal-line Two teams of four players Two keepers No offside If the ball leaves play, you have a few re-start options: The coach passes a new ball onto the pitch The... MORE
in Defending, Small Sided Games
Set up Pitch size: 30 x 20 yards (minimum) up to 40 x 25 yards (maximum) Two teams of four players One goal, no keeper Rules One team starts the game as the attacking team. One team starts the game as the defending team. The game lasts for four attacks. The defending team number themselves... MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
The defender in this practice must work hard to force the attacker out of the area or into a mistake in order to win the ball. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
This drill develops speedy reactions and forces players to engage in physical confrontation to win the ball, building a competitive edge. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
The term “light on your feet” is used for defenders who are always on their toes, ready to react and move to cut out an attack. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
The defender must react quickly to the attacker’s movements. Use of arms and body are essential to stopping the attacker. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
The defenders in this drill must have a “no one will pass” mentality in order to stop the attacker and have a chance to attack themselves. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
The defender must pressure quickly as the ball is played and stop the opponent from turning to face the goals. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
The defender must defend each line and stop the attackers one by one using different defending skills. MORE
