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defnding football DRILLS
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6 vs 2 Invasion Game Defending...

High Intensity drillThis a 6 vs 2 invasion game. Mark out three areas in a line (each box 15m x 25m) using cones (You can adjust the area based on the level of the players and if it is too easy for the Attackers or Defenders).Start with 6 players in each of the two end areas and 4 in the middle area.The aim of this drill is for the 6 players in each end to keep possession of the ball, with those in the middle taking turns to try and win the ball. Players in the end zone have 2 touches maximum or a point goes to the Defenders.To start, a Feeder will throw the ball into one of the ends. Two Defenders will then move into the relevant end and chase down passes in an effort to win the ball back in a 6 vs 2 game.The 6 players will be passing the ball amongst themselves. Once they have completed 6 successful passes then they can pass to the opposite end. When this happens, the players left in the middle will enter that end and do the same thing.The Defenders work for 3 minutes then rotate the playing positions around.

General

Defensive Pressure Defending -...

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.

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1 Vs. 1 Channelling Defending ...

Two teams line up side by side behind their cones. When the player with the ball sets off to run around the cone the drill is live. The player with the ball must run around the cone and then try to score a goal in the defender's side goal by dribbling the ball across the line. This will score them a point. The defenders have to try and force the player to run across their own goal line or tackle them and run the ball over the line themselves. The winner is the first team to 3 goals. After this you can swap the roles around, with the attackers now defending and vice versa.

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Shadow defending 1 v 1 skills ...

Players are working in pairs. Player 1 dribbles forward and player 2 shadows them, not trying to win the ball but trying to put pressure on the player in possession.

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Defending Stance Defending - F...

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.

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Defending 2 On 1 Defending - F...

Player 1 has a ball; the other three balls are placed on discs on the end line. Player 1 passes the ball to player 3, who must advance the ball to the opposite end line without being dispossessed of it by 1 or 2. Player 1 moves in to assume the correct defending position, forcing 3 in the direction of 2 by blocking the right side of the attacker. Players 1 and 2 combine to win the ball. If the defenders win the ball, have them attempt to knock a ball off a cone. Both defenders start on the same side of the area.

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Football: Full backs defending...

Objective: To defend as a full back in a 1 v 1 situationDetail: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.

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Football: Advancement of full ...

Objective: To defend against a winger or opposite full back overlappingDetail:This practice uses 7 players (2 full backs 2 wide players 1 CB 1 Att 1 GK)Use the same area/side of the pitch as above.Serving full back serves the ball from half way line. Defensive full back starts 10 yards outside of 18 yard box.Attacking full back passes the ball to wide player. As ball travels defending full back pressurises ball. Full back can now pass to centre forward or overlapping full back.Defending centre back and wide player are added.Full Back: Having pressured wide player, if opposing full back overlaps, defensive full back tracks overlapping run.If wide player passes or dribbles inside to centre forward full back tucks in close to centre back.Wide Player: If full back overlaps, wide player to pressurise opposing wide player and force the ball down the line.Centre Back: Move within 10 yards of full back to remain compact whilst positioning ball side of centre forward.

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Run out to the player - 1v1 De...

Set up a line of defenders on both sides of your 18 yard box and two lines of attackers roughly in line with the edge of the center circle.On the coach's call the attackers should sprint towards the goal. At the same time the defender should run out and try to do the following:Get themselves between the attacker and the goal.Try to channel the attacker out towards the wing.Slow the attacker down to force their head down.If possible make the interception

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Individual 1 v 1 Defending - F...

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 & DenyDefender 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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Retreating Defence Defending -...

Objective: Opposed practice developing recovery runs and increase understanding on roles and responsibilities. Detail: Mark out 4 channels / areas 15 x 30 (age / ability dependant). Players are organised into groups of 4. Each group work within a channel. Player one serves the ball to player 3 who attempts to beat player 2. Player 2 must retreat into own half before applying pressure.

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Defensive Unit Work Defending ...

This drill encourages players to work together in a Defensive unit and is especially relevant for midfield players.Set up 3 areas in a line: 5 x 5 yards, 20 x 5 yards and another 5 x 5 yardsOpposite this, within shooting distance (about 15 yards), set up 4 goal areas in a line, marked by cones. The 2 inside goals will be used for the first game and then just the 2 outside goals will be used for the second game.Have 1 player restricted to each of the 5 x 5 areas, and 2 players in the 20 x 5 area. The goal of these players is to pass amongst themselves to score (firstly in the goals marked "1" and then in the goals marked "2").Against them will be 4 defenders who will need to work together to shut down these shooting opportunities, starting midway between the boxes and the goals.The coach plays the ball to the Attackers, and at this time the Defenders will approach the Attackers. They cannot travel into the boxes but will use angles to try to stop a quick pass and shoot option.

General

1 vs 2 Attacking A Goal Defend...

Two players line up on opposite sides of the grid to each other, with a third player placed between them in goal. Player 1 dribbles the ball around the cone and then tries to score in the goal. Player 2 must also run around the far cone before then attempting to stop player 1 from scoring.

General

Wolf Pack Defending - Football...

The players each have a ball. On the coaches command the defending team comes in to the area and tries to kick all of the balls out. If a player gets his ball kicked out then they can stay in and help their team mates by finding space to receive a pass. If a player does a turn when pressurised by a defender then add 5 seconds onto the time.

General

Lateral defending with cover D...

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.

General

4 Goal Channelling Defending -...

6 vs 6 game with 2 Floaters (who can play for whichever team has the ball).Set up an area the size of one half of the pitch. In each corner and in the middle, position 2 cones to make 5 mini goals.Also have 6 players stood around the outside of the area, who the ball can be passed to and from.After the first game, switch one of the teams out and have the outside 6 come in and form a team. Rotate round like this so they each play each other.Play 3 mins each of attacking, 3 times (9 mins in total each, 27 mins overall).

General

Working up to 11 v 11 principl...

Objective: Application of the individual & unit patterns/movements of defending with a 8 v 8 practice.Detail:Set up - Half a full size pitch with sidelines brought in 10m or 70 x 50 marked out.Split the players into 2 balanced groups of 8.Give each team a scenario for the game (for example Team A are losing 2-1 with 15 minutes to go).Select a team captain who will work with their team to discuss a strategy & tactics.Individual, unit & teams roles and responsibilities when defending (out of possession).When, where, what, how & why to press in specific areas of the pitch.Hunting in packsGoalkeepers angles & distances in relation to the defensive structure.

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Football: Defending 1 On 1 Wit...

Goalkeeper passes to player 2, who must attempt to dribble the ball past player 1 and score a goal. Player 1 assumes a sideways position and blocks the path to the goal. If the defender wins the ball, he should try to dribble over the end line. Rotate positions. Allow the player to shoot as soon as he receives the ball. The player must close down the space to the ball and get into line between the attacker and the goal as quickly as possible.

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Football: Move Defender Latera...

Move the defender laterally to create space in which to dribble the ball and exploit the space behind the defender.

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Diamond formation practice Def...

Diamond formation midfield in an 11 a side game. Reds vs blue.Set up in the formation:2 strikers, diamond midfield, 4 defenders and a GK.The midfield players are attempting to channel the attackers to one side of play, to keep pushing them out towards the side and limit their options.Encourage individuals to channel the ball and contain players in certain areas and to be aware of covering other Defenders.

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Alligators Alley Defending - F...

Divide the group into teams of 4. One player in goal, two defenders and one attacker. The defenders (Alligators) adopt a crab position (belly up, hands and feet on the floor) and start in the middle of the grid. The attackers must try to dribble around the alligators and score a goal.

General

Diamond Midfield Channelling D...

Red team vs Blue team.Set up a diamond midfield formation2 strikers, 4 midfield, 4 defenders.Set up cones as shown on the diagram(3 sets of cones. 2 pairs before the top of the diamond numbered &quot;1&quot;, one pair of cones lower down in the middle of the diamond numbered &quot;2&quot;)Works on the Defence channelling the ball into certain areas.The 2 red team strikers try to stop the blue team from playing the ball through either of the &quot;1&quot; cones, so that play is encouraged into a central area (top of the diamond).Once the blue player with the ball has reached the top of the diamond, players will looks to direct him <em>outside</em> of the &quot;2&quot; cones and into wide areas (occupied by the 2 red wide midfielders).Red fullbacks need to recognise where the ball is going and move into an advanced wide position to put pressure on opposition's wide players.By doing this the red team are attempting to dictate how the ball moves.Play for half an hour.

General

Clear the Decks Defending - Fo...

The object of this game is for the players in possesion of the ball to clear the ball into the area on the opposite side. The opposing players have to try and prevent the players from making the clearances. When the coach calls out freeze the team with the least amount of balls in their area are the winners.

General

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defnding football SESSIONS
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Team Defending | Football Less...

Develop a team mentality that works to win the ball back and swarm in groups. Understand the roles and responsibilities of team defence to shut out the opposition as a unit.

Defending counter attacks | Fo...

Make the right decisions and recognise where the main threat is when defending counter attacks. Develop your players awareness on the field to channel the danger away from goal.
defnding football ANSWERS
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Long Ball Defending for U11s H...

I run a U11 team that is reasonably successful and plays with confidence and spends a lot of the time on the front foot. However we seem to get caught week after week by the simple long ball over the top and would welcome some tips/drills to help the lads improve this part (it's driving me mad!). Thanks in advance.

Ian Coach, England

Defending the through ball | S...

How can we defend the through ball from a faster team?

Archived User Coach

Defending Drills for Under 8s ...

Hi we have just started out as a team and in the few friendlies we have had the children are not defending at all. I understand at this age to keep it easy and interesting but would welcome any tips I could use in training.Thanks

Bill Campbell Coach, England

defending the long ball | Spor...

defending the long ball

Archived User Coach

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