EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE FROM QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED GRASSROOTS SOCCER COACHES
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.
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
Defending in different overload situations is vital for a strong defender who can repel attackers. Which team can build an advantage as the game moves towards 4v4 in this rapidly expanding series of overload situations? MORE
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
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
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 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
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
This drill forces the players to react to the two most frequent defending and attacking situations. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
Give your players the comforting thought that by delaying an attack, their team mates will be back to support. 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
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
This drill allows the defenders to work on the techniques of 2v2 defending and then react to a “live” opportunity to use the skills learnt. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
This drill is 1v1 on the pitch but the defender receives verbal support from his team mate which is crucial to developing a 2v1 defensive understanding. Without communication you have to assume you are defending alone and cannot pressure the attacker. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
This defending circuit demands concentration, quick reactions and multiple game-related defending skills to come out on top. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
This drill looks at two of the principle defending situations in a short time. The players must adapt the skills they have learnt to defend both situations. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
The game lasts for four balls and includes a 2v2 attack facing the goal, facing away from the goal and crosses from both the left and right wings. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
How does a midfield runner affect the defenders? Does one player go to mark him? Or, do the defenders wait until the pass is made? MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
Now the players must react from crosses rather than a dribbling attack. MORE
in Defending, Soccer drills and skills
Using a channel down one side of the pitch ensures that players experience crosses coming from both the right and left sides of the pitch. When playing in attack, what do the players learn that they can use in defence? MORE
Now all your players can get more touches, make more passes, score more goals and enjoy every coaching session you run MORE
Defence leaking goals like a sieve? Start plugging holes today with these 67 easy-to-coach defending drills and games MORE
Never Have to Hunt Around the Internet for a Fresh Warm-Up Again MORE
