Defensive soccer drills defending as a unit

In this drill focusing on training for defenders we look at developing a team’s ability to defend as a unit.

What you tell your players the drill is about:

• Working hard together to win possession.

• Pressing, supporting and covering as a team unit.

What you tell your players to do:

• Demonstrate a positive, aggressive but controlled attitude.

• Remember and apply the work on individual pressing.

• Observe the opponents’ positions and your team mates.

• Keep compact as a unit.

• Cover spaces as well as players.

• Seize the opportunity to challenge correctly for the ball.

What to shout in the soccer (football) drill:

• “Press quickly.”

• “Keep together and work as a unit.”

• “Get tighter and close the gap.”

• “Stay on your feet.”

• “Don’t dive in.”

• “Win it!”

 
What to look for in this soccer drill:

• Slow reactions and movement.

• Gaps between players.

• Lack of positive mental attitude.

• Failure to intercept or challenge when there is a chance.

• Rash challenges, fouls, going to ground.

• Lack of communication and specific information.

What to think about:

Are your players working “smart” or just hard? Are they applying the lessons learned in marking and covering? Think about rotating tired players, as done well this is a hard soccer drill.

Drinks and rest pauses are advisable. Relax the eight pass rule in the game after a while and it will be less frantic.

Think about letting them defend deep as a team and counter attack. Applaud all goals and good attempts deriving from good defending skills.

What you get your players to do:

• Stage 1: Use an area approx 30m x 20m.

• Three players stand outside the area at both ends.

• Three other players from each team stand in the middle third.

• The coach plays a ball into one end and the players at that end step into the grid to receive. Now they must make 3/4/5 passes before they can pass into the other team at the far end.

• When they do they get a point and their team-mates in the middle can now pressurise the opponents who are receiving the ball. Each successful long pass gets a point. Rotate the players in the middle.