Gafferbook
Defending ยท U10 to adult

Block the shot

Defenders close down a shooter on the edge of the box and get a body block in without diving in. Teaches the last-ditch defending that saves goals at every level.

U10 to adultAges
6 to 12 plus a keeperPlayers
Edge of the boxArea
10 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Shooters queue 20 metres out with balls; defenders on the six-yard line.
  • Keeper in goal.

Equipment: Goal, cones, balls

How it works

  1. Defender passes out to the shooter and sprints to close them down.
  2. Shooter takes a touch and shoots.
  3. Defender gets in line to block, side-on, staying on their feet.

Coaching points

  • Close down quickly, then get set as they shoot.
  • Side-on with arms behind your back (avoid handballs).
  • Get in line with the ball and the goal.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Shooter takes two touches

Make it harder

  • Shooter can fake and dribble past
  • Second shooter for a cut-back

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

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More defending drills

1v1 defending: show them outside

The defender passes to the attacker, closes them down and shows them towards the touchline, away from goal. Teaches the approach, the side-on stance and patience.

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2v2 cover and balance

Two defenders against two attackers. One presses the ball, the other covers behind at an angle, and they swap jobs every time the ball moves.

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Back line shifting with the ball

Four (or three) defenders stay connected and shift across as the attackers move the ball across the pitch, before the attackers try to play through. Works for a back four or a back three.

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Defending crosses in the box

Wide players cross from both sides while two or three defenders and the keeper deal with two attackers in the box. Teaches body position, marking and clearing wide.

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Recovery runs: get goal-side

The attacker gets a head start and the defender must recover goal-side before they can shoot. Teaches the sprint back that turns a chance into a tackle.

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Jockeying in pairs

The attacker dribbles slowly from side to side down a channel and the defender jockeys backwards, staying side-on and close. Builds the footwork for 1v1 defending without the pressure of a tackle.

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