Gafferbook
Defending ยท U13 to adult

Holding the line (offside awareness)

The back line practises holding a straight line and stepping up together so that strikers are caught offside. Teaches communication and timing for 11v11 defenders.

U13 to adultAges
8 to 14 plus a keeperPlayers
Half pitchArea
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

  • Back four (or three) against two or three strikers.
  • Midfield passer with balls.

Equipment: Goal, cones, bibs, balls

How it works

  1. Passer has the ball; strikers try to time runs in behind.
  2. Defenders hold the line and step up on the passer's back-swing.
  3. Assistant or coach judges offside.

Coaching points

  • Line up off the most central defender's call.
  • Step up together, never alone.
  • If unsure, drop and stay goal-side.

Formations this drill suits

3-2-1 (7v7) drills3-1-2 (7v7) drills3-3-2 (9v9) drills3-2-3 (9v9) drills3-4-1 (9v9) drills4-3-3 (11v11) drills3-5-2 (11v11) drills4-4-2 (11v11) drills4-2-3-1 (11v11) drills3-4-3 (11v11) drills

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Walk-through first

Make it harder

  • Passer can dribble forward to break the line

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

Questions about this drill?

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More defending drills

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2v2 cover and balance

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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

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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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