Use this session to teach players to press opponents high up the pitch – so they can win the ball nearer to the goal. By pressing quickly and working together, attackers will win the ball back nearer the opponent’s goal and have a greater chance of scoring. MORE
in Defending, Soccer tackling drills
This session replicates situations where midfielders can find themselves outnumbered and a timely tackle is needed to stop the move in its tracks. MORE
The defending team is coached how to get into formation in a match when they have lost the ball and how to quickly assemble a zonal defence. After using our first session, run this and allow players to make decisions on where to defend at the corner. MORE
Play this like a Rondo where if you split the defenders and hit the cone keeping possession of the ball. The pressing team must try to win the ball and prevent the possession team hitting the cone. MORE
in Core Skills, Defending, Practice plans
Defending in a 1v1 is tough – use this drill to improve your players’ ability to come out on top in such situations. MORE
Top tips from former Torquay United defender Aaron Downes, now the assistant manager at Torquay, on how to be better at the back MORE
in Advanced Skills, Defending, Practice plans
When a defender puts pressure on an attacker, it is vital that another defender stays close by in a supporting position. This session is designed to improve how your players “gang up” in defensive situations. In doing so, they will improve their understanding, positioning and teamwork. MORE
This session helps you coach players to understand that they have to stay close and not let opponents get free or they will give the game away. MORE
in Defending, Email newsletters
When I have been working with different age groups over the coronavirus-extended summer break I often use the same coaching activity. Sometimes it takes a simple tweak – size of pitch, number of touches, overloads – to make the session suitable for that age group. MORE
in Advanced Skills, Defending, Practice plans
Improve your team’s ability to defend when under constant pressure from opposition attacks. Remember that when your rivals don’t have the ball, they can’t score a goal. MORE
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
in Core Skills, Defending, Practice plans
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
in Core Skills, Defending, Practice plans
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
