Defend the gates (3v3)
Attackers score by dribbling through one of three gates on the end line; defenders must work together to protect them. Teaches pressure, cover and balance as a unit of three.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Three small gates along one end line.
- Three attackers v three defenders; coach serves to the attackers.
Equipment: Cones, bibs, balls
How it works
- Attackers try to dribble through any gate.
- Defenders win it and pass to the coach for a point.
- Rotate after five attacks.
Coaching points
- First defender presses, second covers at an angle, third balances.
- Shift together as the ball moves.
- Talk: 'press', 'cover', 'squeeze'.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- 3v2 for the defenders to start
Make it harder
- Four gates
- Defenders must win it within 8 seconds
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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More defending drills
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See the drill โ2v2 cover and balance
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See the drill โBack line shifting with the ball
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See the drill โDefending 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.
See the drill โRecovery 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.
See the drill โJockeying 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.
See the drill โ