Warm Up:
Refer to the “Warm Up” section for a variety of fun warm up activities for your team. Use a combination of exercises “with” and “without” the ball. Relate the warm up to the skill of the day. Be creative, energetic, and make the
warm-up a fun start to the practice session.
Exercise Objectives: This drill is a good introduction to a session on defending. It can be incorporated in your warm up. The drill places
an emphasis on defensive footwork and body stance.
Field Preparation Area 20 x 20 yards Cones or Flag poles
Coaching Pointers:
The entire group are positioned on the end line of a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. The coach dictates the direction that the players move by shouting out commands.
When the coach shouts; " Delay" all the players must retreat backwards. " Pressure" all the players must move forward. " Right" all the players must move to the right. " Left" all the players must move to the left.
The speed of the practice should be increased gradually.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Bend the knees and keep the body low. (don't stand tall, stand small). This position enables the legs to be "spring loaded" to change direction quickly.
Leg position should be with one leg behind the other.
Pivot using the back foot when changing direction from side to side.
Keep the upper torso forward, this is crucial for changing direction from a backwards to forwards position quickly.
Drill 2 - Defending 1 v 1
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve each player’s defensive footwork and body stance.
Field Preparation Area 10 x 20 yards 2 Players 1 Ball Cones or Flag poles
Coaching Pointers:
Two players are positioned in a grid 10 yards x 20 yards. Both players start the practice from the end line and work their up and down the grid. Alternating roles when they reach each end line. One player is an attacker the other a defender. There is no tackling involved in this practice, emphasis is strictly on footwork and body stance. The attacker starts the practice by slowing running with the ball towards the defender. The defender must retreat
and keep a distance of approximately 1-2 yards from the attacker. As the attacker travels down the grid they must move the ball from left to right, right to left so the defender must change their body position.
When both players reach the opposite end line they reverse roles and work their way back up the grid.
The speed of the practice should be increased gradually.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Bend the knees and keep the body low. (don't stand tall, stand small). This position enables the legs to be "spring loaded" to change direction quickly.
Leg position should be with one leg behind the other.
Pivot using the back foot when changing direction from side to side.
Keep the upper torso forward, this is crucial for changing direction from a backwards to forwards position quickly
Drill 3 - Defensive Positioning 2 V 2
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve each player’s defensive positioning in a 2 v 2 situation.
Field Preparation Area 20 x 20 yards 4 Players 1 Ball Cones or Flag poles
Coaching Pointers:
Four players are positioned in a grid 20 yards x 20 yards. Players start the practice from the end line and work their up and down the grid. Alternating roles when they reach each end line. Two players are the attackers the other two defenders. There is no tackling involved in this practice, emphasis is strictly on defensive positioning. The attackers start the practice by slowing running with the ball towards the two defenders. The defenders must retreat and keep their correct defensive positions as the ball exchanged between the attackers. As the attackers travel down the grid they must pass the ball so the defenders must change their defensive roles.
The Pressurizing Defender (1st defender):
The nearest player to the ball is the pressurizing defender. They must keep a distance of approximately 1-2 yards from the attacker.
The Supporting Defender (2nd defender):
The supporting defender role is to add cover an balance to the defensive shape. Cover is important so they are in a position to add depth for the pressurizing player. For example in a game if the pressurizing defender is beaten then the covering player would be in a position to put pressure on the attacker or clean up and mistakes. Balance is important to prevent any through balls in behind the defense. By dropping off at an angle the defender encourage
the player with the ball to make a pass in front on the defender and not behind.
The supporting player should be in a position to cover the pressurizing defender and mark their own player.
When both players reach the opposite end line they reverse roles and work their way back up the grid.
The speed of the practice should be increased gradually.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Players should adjust their defensive positioning quickly as the ball is exchanged between the attackers.
Players should adjust their position as the ball is traveling and be in a good balanced position when the attacker has the ball at their feet.
Communication is vital, especially from the covering defender as they can see the entire situation.
Bend the knees and keep the body low. (don't stand tall, stand small). This position enables the legs to be "spring loaded" to change direction quickly.
Leg position should be with one leg behind the other.
Pivot using the back foot when changing direction from side to side.
Keep the upper torso forward, this is crucial for changing direction from a backwards to forwards position quickly.
Drill 4 - Defending 1 v 1 across Grid
Exercise Objectives: This practice is designed to improve each player’s one on one defending skills.
Field Preparation Area 10 x 20 yards Small Groups 1 Ball Cones or Flag poles
Coaching Pointers:
A player is positioned at each corner of a grid 10 yards x 10 yards. Small goals are made using cones which are placed approximately 1 yard apart. The players alternate in pairs playing one versus one across the grid.
The practice should be performed with high intensity.
The coach should emphasize the following coaching points:
Gain as much ground as possible to close down the attacker.
Slow down on the last 2 yards. Get low with knees bent.
Adopt a “side on” position.
Keep goal side of the ball, in between the player and the goal.
Make the direction of the play predictable.
Timing of the tackle is important, wait for the forward to make their move.
Quality tackling is as much an attitude as it is technique.
Players must develop an aggressive and savvy attitude towards winning the ball.
Small-Sided Game (with goalkeepers)
Exercise Objectives: Finish with small sided game 6 v 6, 7 v 7 (with Goalkeepers). The practice should be concluded with a small-sided game reinforcing the coaching points from your drills.
Field Preparation Entire Group (split into two equal teams) Area 40 x 60 yards Use Small Goals, Cones or Flag poles Supply of Balls Colored Bibs
Coaching Pointers:
Divide the players into two equal teams with goalkeepers.
Each field should be approximately 40 yards x 60 yards.
Use corner flags or cones as goals.
Total time, 20-30 minutes.
At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice.
Record Score:
Team 1_________________ v Team 2 _________________
At the end of your session, review all coaching points made during the practice.
