Soccer Defending Drills

Soccer Defending Drills will assure your team understands the tactic and technique of playing defense during a soccer match. Defending is the ability to prevent the opponent from getting chances and moving the ball forward. Although defense in soccer is not seen as a sexy part of the game, the truth is playing defense is a significant component of the game of soccer, as roughly half of your time is playing defense.

Pressure, cover, and balance are the three ingredients to coaching defense.

Pressure, cover, and balance are the three ingredients to coaching defense and is the key to good defensive shape. The idea is to put immediate pressure on the ball in attempt to dispossess your opponent as quickly as possible.

Pressure will teach the closest player to the ball to put pressure on the attacking player in hopes to dispossess the attacker or make them make a mistake.

Cover is a defensive positioning that gives immediate support to the pressuring players by positioning themselves near the pressure.

Balance refers to the ability of the team to position themselves in an excellent defensive posture that does not allow the switching of the ball to off-balance the defense.

Browse the Latest Soccer Defending Drills

1v1 to Tall Cones new

Chris Johnson 225 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

A 1v1 attacking and defending drill that improves dribbling, ball control, and decision-making as players try to knock over their opponent’s cones with the ball.

3v3 to Goals new

Chris Johnson 147 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

A small-sided 3v3 game that enhances attacking, defending, and transition play while providing high-energy, game-like scenarios with continuous player rotation.

Dribbling and Turning with Pressure on the Back new

Chris Johnson 213 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

A 1v1 drill that focuses on turning under pressure, shielding the ball, and making quick decisions to beat a defender and retain possession.

Dribbling with Pressure on the Back new

Chris Johnson 143 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

A 1v1 dribbling drill that helps players develop awareness, ball protection, and shielding skills while dribbling under defensive pressure.

2v2 with 4 Small Goals new

Chris Johnson 111 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

A competitive 2v2 drill that develops attacking, defending, and decision-making by encouraging players to find space and score on one of two goals while defending their own.

1v1 with 4 Small Goals new

Chris Johnson 69 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

A high-intensity 1v1 drill that enhances attacking, defending, and finishing skills as players compete to score on two small goals while defending their own.

1v1 Elimination Challenge new

Chris Johnson 337 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

A competitive 1v1 drill that enhances attacking skills, defending resilience, and quick transitions as players battle to eliminate opponents by scoring goals.

4v4+1 Corner Support Rondo new

Chris Johnson 235 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

A dynamic possession drill that develops passing, movement, and decision-making by incorporating corner support players and a neutral player in a 15x15-yard grid.

4v4+4 Corner Rondo new

Chris Johnson 222 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

A high-intensity possession drill that incorporates quick transitions, movement, and decision-making by using four corner players as support in a 25x25-yard grid.

4v4+4 Continuous Transition Rondo new

Chris Johnson 133 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

A dynamic possession rondo emphasizing quick transitions, pressing, and positional awareness in a 10x20-yard space with rotating roles.