HOME Soccer Drills Defending

Soccer: Individual 1 v 1

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Cornel

DESCRIPTION

Objective: To be able to defend in 1 v 1 situations & learn how to slow down attackers and win the ball back.

Detail:

Set up 20 x 40 area with cones marking out every 10.
Within that area will be 4 channels of 20 x 10.
Spilt group into 4 and give a channel each with a small goal at one end.
Practice starts 1v1 and P1 (defender) passing into P2 (attacker) then closing down.
Objective for P2 is to try and beat the defender and then score into goal.
Objective for P1 to win the ball back and counter.
Rotate around and rest whilst remaining players have a go.

To begin the practice make sure the pass is quality & accurate.
Delay & Deny
Defender needs to immediately press the ball, reduce space for attacker to work in & reduce decision making time.
Body shape/position - side on, low centre of gravity, front font defending, show away from danger or onto weaker side.
Speed - Quick to reduce space then de accelerate on approach to give enough time to get into a good shape and position.
Be patient and wait for trigger (heavy touch, head down, weaker side etc) to steal the ball.

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OFTEN USED WITH...

Lateral defending with cover:

Red defends blue. The blue player must try and beat the red defenders and reach one of the blue cones, with the ball still under control.

Red player 2 role is to cover the other defender. Whenever either red player gets in possession, the other red must find space so as to create a passing option.

Defending

Defending Stance:

Set up with 2 cones as shown with 2 players at each end and 1 ball.

Player with the ball passes the ball across and then quickly closes their pass down. Once they get close they take a defensive stance and move backwards as the player on the ball dribbles forward.

Once they get halfway the player defending quickly retreats and then receives the pass before changing roles.

Defending

Defensive Pressure:

Play 3 v 3 in the middle area with goalkeepers stationed in each of the goals. Balls are placed around the field so that as soon as a ball goes out, the closest ball is played in.

As soon as a player receives the ball from the goalkeeper or an outfield teammate, he should attempt a shot on goal. The defending team must attempt to pressure the ball carrier and closely mark all other attacking players.

Defending

Full backs defending in phase of play:

Objective: To defend as a full back in a 1 v 1 situation

Detail:

This practice uses only 4 players (2 full backs 1 winger 1 GK).
Use half a pitch down either side.
Serving full back serves the ball from the half way line into the winger.
Defensive full back starts 10 yards outside the 18 yard box.
Serving full back passes ball into wide player, and as ball travels defending full back pressurises the ball.

Close down wide player quickly cutting off the line preventing wide player getting passed into coned area.
Slow down within 2-3 yards to prevent wide player getting past, but close enough to prevent building up speed.
Jockey and lead with nearest foot if ball can be won.

Defending

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