Gafferbook
Defending ยท U10 to adult

Compact defending game

A game where the defending team must keep all outfield players within a 15-metre band. Teaches compactness: small gaps, short distances, help everywhere.

U10 to adultAges
10 to 16 plus keepersPlayers
35 x 30 mArea
15 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

  • Normal game with keepers.
  • Coach watches the distance between the defending team's first and last outfield players.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. When defending, stay within 15 metres front to back.
  2. Coach stops play if a team is stretched; free kick to the attackers.
  3. Goal conceded while stretched counts double.

Coaching points

  • Move up and back as a unit.
  • Squeeze the space around the ball.
  • Talk constantly.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • 20 metre band

Make it harder

  • 10 metre band

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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