Defending drills

Cam HughesCoach, England

Hi Isaac,

Here are some drills you could try for individual defending:

Here are some effective individual defending drills from the Sportplan football page:

1v1 Channelling Defending: In this drill, two teams line up side by side. The player with the ball tries to score by dribbling across the defender’s goal line. The defender must channel the attacker away from the goal or attempt to tackle and win the ball themselves. This drill helps players practice staying close to the attacker and guiding them away from dangerous areas.

Run Out to the Player: This drill focuses on getting defenders to close down attackers quickly. Defenders start on the edge of the 18-yard box and must sprint out to meet the attacker, positioning themselves between the attacker and the goal, and attempting to force the attacker wide. This drill emphasises speed, positioning, and decision-making in 1v1 situations.

Retreating Defence: This drill is about recovery runs and understanding defensive responsibilities. Defenders must retreat into their own half before applying pressure on the attacker, ensuring they are well-positioned to defend against advancing opponents. This helps improve defensive organisation and timing.

Pressure Shooting: In this drill, a defender pressures the attacker as they move towards the goal. The attacker must try to score under pressure, while the defender works on closing down the space and making it difficult for the attacker to get a clear shot. This drill helps defenders learn how to apply pressure effectively without committing fouls.

These drills cover key aspects of individual defending, such as positioning, tackling, and decision-making under pressure​.

I hope this helps,

Cam