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Coaching Theme

Defending

Use this section to filter all of our drills, games and session plans by coaching theme.

You'll find activities on passing, shooting, tackling, crossing, dribbling and much more.

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Practice 2: We’re outnumbered!

Three-part session to help defenders protect the goal when they are short-handed.

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Small-sided game: We’re outnumbered!

Three-part session to help defenders protect the goal when they are short-handed.

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Warm-Up: Defending in our half

A three-part session focusing on defensive principles and developing defensive techniques.

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Small-sided game: Staying on the ball

Allow your players to develop confidence and technique in this three-part session.

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Practice: Pressing and covering

This three-part session develops players’ awareness of pressing and covering as a unit.

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Small-sided game: Passing with purpose

Encourage players to be adventurous and create angles in this three-part session plan.

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Small-sided game: On the receiving end

This three-part session will develop your players’ ability to receive the ball, ready to shoot.

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Practice 1: Setting the traps

Coach the techniques, principles and tactics of defending as a unit to win the ball in wide areas.

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Warm-up: Recover and regroup

This session develops players out-of-possession, working on delaying, denying and dictating.

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Practice: Stopping the attacker

A simple and continuous game to improve players in 1v1 situations and develop their tackling

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Support the defender - practice 1

Three-part session on defensive judgement, support, and confidence to retain the ball. By STEPH FAIRBAIRN

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Practice 1: Exploiting overloads

Develop players’ understanding of when and how to make the most of a numerical advantage

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Practice 2: Exploiting overloads

Develop players’ understanding of when and how to make the most of a numerical advantage.

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Small-sided game: Exploiting overloads

Develop players’ understanding of when and how to make the most of a numerical advantage.

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Support the defender - practice 2

Three-part session on defensive judgement, support, and confidence to retain the ball. By STEPH FAIRBAIRN

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Small-sided game: Through the thirds

Develop your players’ ability to play through a crowded midfield with this three-part session.

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Play out from the back

This rondo game develops players’ movement and passing when playing out from defence.

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Create cool defenders

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 ...

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Ball watching

This session helps defenders to use an overload to their advantage when attackers run centrally at them – they must press their opponents ...

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Secure the box

This session helps defenders understand the importance of marking tightly in the penalty area and not losing their man.

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Defender takes control

If you want your defence tight you’ll need to coach your players to force opponents wide leaving attackers unable to dribble into the area.

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Mertersacker's ball

Run this session to get your defenders clearing the ball like Arsenal academy director Per Mertesacker used to do in the Premier League, ...

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Small-sided game: Tackle and counter attack

This activity places players in a game environment where they are set up to win the ball back from the opposition and counterattack quickly ...

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Practice: Pressing and recovering

This game enables defenders to work on their communication and decision-making, helping them understand when they should press and when ...

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Coaching Theme

Defending

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Coaches' Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

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