Defending drills for defenders
Defending drills teach getting goal-side, the side-on stance, showing attackers away from goal, covering a teammate and holding a line. Start 1v1, build to 2v2, then whole-unit practices.
1v1 to goal
U8 to U16 · 6 to 12 plus a keeper
2v2 to four goals
U6 to U12 · 4 per pitch
3v3 press and win (pressing in threes)
U9 to U14 · 6 to 12
1v1 defending: show them outside
U8 to adult · 6 to 16
2v2 cover and balance
U9 to adult · 8 to 16
Back line shifting with the ball
U12 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper
Defending crosses in the box
U11 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper
2v1 attack and finish
U8 to adult · 6 to 15 plus a keeper
Race the defender and shoot
U8 to adult · 6 to 16 plus a keeper
Reaction races
U7 to adult · Pairs (whole squad)
Mirror me (pairs agility)
U6 to adult · Pairs (whole squad)
Defensive clearing header
U14 to adult · Groups of 3
1v1 channels (beat your defender)
U7 to adult · 4 to 20 (pairs)
1v1 to four gates
U8 to U14 · Pairs (whole squad)
Wide 1v1: beat the full-back and cross
U10 to adult · 6 to 12 plus a keeper
1v1 with your back to goal
U10 to adult · 6 to 12 plus a keeper
1v1 tournament (up and down the pitches)
U7 to U14 · 8 to 20
Recovery runs: get goal-side
U9 to adult · 6 to 16 plus a keeper
Jockeying in pairs
U8 to adult · Pairs (whole squad)
Defend the gates (3v3)
U9 to adult · 6 to 12
Block the shot
U10 to adult · 6 to 12 plus a keeper
Numbers game (called overloads)
U8 to U14 · 8 to 16
Escape the chaser
U8 to adult · Pairs
Pass and race
U8 to adult · Pairs
Knee tag
U8 to adult · Pairs
1v1 from different starting angles
U9 to adult · 6 to 14 plus a keeper
1v1 to two small goals
U7 to U14 · Pairs (whole squad)
1v1 with a recovering defender
U10 to adult · 9 to 15 plus a keeper
1v1 plus a bounce player
U10 to adult · Groups of 3 plus a keeper
Tag 1v1 (no tackling) for beginners
U5 to U8 · Pairs (whole squad)
Knock the cone 1v1
U7 to U13 · Pairs (whole squad)
Winner stays on 1v1
U8 to adult · 6 to 12 plus a keeper
Diagonal 1v1 from the corners
U8 to U14 · 6 to 16
Stop-start 1v1 (mirror line)
U9 to adult · Pairs
Two-way 1v1 (win it, attack the other end)
U8 to adult · Pairs (whole squad)
Protect the target 1v1
U9 to adult · Groups of 3
Organise your defence (communication)
U11 to adult · Keeper plus 4 to 6 defenders and attackers
Sweeper keeper: through balls
U10 to adult · Keeper plus 4 to 8 attackers
Midfield trap: show inside, double up
U12 to adult · 8 to 12
Touchline trap
U11 to adult · 6 to 10
Cover shadow pressing
U12 to adult · 6 to 10
Press and cover in pairs
U9 to adult · 8 to 16
Press or drop (coach's call)
U12 to adult · 12 to 18 plus keepers
Stop the turn: pressing a target player
U10 to adult · 6 to 12
Sprint back: recovery after losing it
U10 to adult · 10 to 16 plus keepers
Defend the corner, then break
U11 to adult · 12 to 16 plus a keeper
Delay and recover (1v2)
U10 to adult · 6 to 12 plus a keeper
Rest defence game
U12 to adult · 12 to 16 plus keepers
Back four: step up and drop together
U12 to adult · 4 to 8 defenders plus attackers
Defending corners: zonal and man-marking
U11 to adult · 12 to 18 plus a keeper
Tracking runners into the box
U11 to adult · 6 to 12 plus a keeper
Compact defending game
U10 to adult · 10 to 16 plus keepers
Block tackle technique (safe tackling)
U9 to adult · Pairs
Interception game: step in front
U9 to adult · 6 to 12
Setting up a defensive wall
U11 to adult · 6 to 12 plus a keeper
Defending throw-ins and kick-ins
U10 to adult · 8 to 12
Defending cut-backs
U11 to adult · 8 to 12 plus a keeper
Holding the line (offside awareness)
U13 to adult · 8 to 14 plus a keeper
Clearances: high, far, wide
U10 to adult · 6 to 12 plus a keeper
Back three: cover and slide
U11 to adult · 3 to 6 defenders plus attackers
1v1 conditioning duels
U12 to adult · Pairs
2v2 sprint duels to goal
U10 to adult · 8 to 16 plus a keeper
Screen and steal gates
U10 to adult · 6 to 10
Centre-backs: defend the cross
U11 to adult · 4 to 8 plus a keeper
Deal with the ball over the top
U11 to adult · 4 to 8 plus a keeper
Recovery run: race the attacker
U10 to adult · Pairs plus a keeper
By position: Goalkeeping · Defending · Midfield · Attacking · Football positions explained
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