Soccer Defending Drills

Soccer defending drills to teach proper defensive skills and team strategies.

soccer defending drills soccer defensive practices soccer defense skills defensive training sessions

Defending is a vital part of soccer that requires discipline, positioning, and teamwork to stop the opposition. This page provides drills to help players develop defensive skills such as tackling, marking, and intercepting to protect their goal effectively.

Defending Drills

1v1, 1v2, 2v2 - 4 goal game MEDIUM

1v1, 1v2, 2v2 - 4 goal game

This 1v1, 2v2 to multiple goals soccer drill puts soccer players in 1v1 and 2v2 situations with multiple goals. 1v1 soccer helps players focus on penetration by forcing the player to dribble to beat their opponent and allows players to make the attack unpredictable through creativity. Your kids will love this soccer drill!

9+ yrs. 8+ players 20 mins. 20X35 yds. GK: no
Diagonal 1v1 Soccer Drill MEDIUM

Diagonal 1v1 Soccer Drill

This 1v1 soccer drill is great to focus on 1v1 play whether it is on the offensive or the defensive side. On the offensive side, you can get attackers to attack the defenders with speed, quick change of pace with an explosive touch to get away, and getting behind the defensive players. On the defensive side, you can focus on closing down quickly, forcing the attacker to the side and closing down the attack.

4+ yrs. 8+ players 15 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no
3.87 92,883 Chris Johnson
Clean Your Room MEDIUM

Clean Your Room

This soccer game is a great drill for U5 through U8 players. The clean your room soccer drill will focus on dribbling under pressure while also working on defensive pressure as an individual or a small group.

4-8 yrs. 6+ players 10 mins. 15X15 yds. GK: no
3.86 384,772 Chris Johnson
1v1v1 Triangle Game MEDIUM

1v1v1 Triangle Game

The 1v1v1 Triangle Game soccer drill focuses on attacking in a number-down situation. This game will encourage players to dribble, take players on, shield the ball from the defensive players, and the vision to find the open goal. Defensively this drill promotes players to stay aware of their defensive shape and tackling players on the dribble.

9+ yrs. 3+ players 15 mins. 15X20 yds. GK: no
3.83 109,422 Chris Johnson
Pressure/Cover Tactical Defending Soccer Game MEDIUM

Pressure/Cover Tactical Defending Soccer Game

This soccer drill is designed to help players identify the roles of the first defender (the closest player to the ball) and the second defender (the supporting player providing cover). It focuses on teaching players how to effectively pressure the ball handler while maintaining proper positioning for defensive support.

9+ yrs. 10 players 20 mins. 60X40 yds. GK: yes
3.82 88,144 Chris Johnson
1v1 Defending the Dribble MEDIUM

1v1 Defending the Dribble

This 1v1 soccer defending drill will isolate the defender to focus on the first defender and defending the dribble. Modify this drill to focus on the first attacker taking on the defender.

9+ yrs. 8+ players 20 mins. 20X20 yds. GK: no
3.81 265,075 Chris Johnson
1v1 Defending the Dribble with Teammate MEDIUM

1v1 Defending the Dribble with Teammate

The purpose of this drill is to isolate the defender to focus on the first defender and defending the dribble while working with a teammate. This teaches young soccer players to work together with your teammate to shut down the attacker.

9+ yrs. 8+ players 20 mins. HALF FIELD yds. GK: yes
3.8 227,491 Chris Johnson
Defensive Speed Course MEDIUM

Defensive Speed Course

This soccer fitness drill is designed to improve defensive speed and quickness in front of the goal. This exercise is intended to be more of a fitness training drill than a technical or tactical defensive soccer training drill.

9+ yrs. 4+ players 20 mins. 25x40 yds. GK: yes
3.79 138,256 Chris Johnson