Resources

LOGIN

Defending drills and games

The defensive soccer drills and games in this section will help you coach your players to work as a unit at the back. We look at how your players should organise themselves, what are their roles and responsibilities as defenders, and how they should react in different defensive situations.

With work, you should be able to coach your players to control the game at the back and to start great passing moves leading to goals at the other end.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Christmas characters

Players select a festive-themed name and then battle for the ball during 1v1s, 2v2s or 3v3s in this exciting game.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 1: Winning the ball

Three-part session to master the ‘four S’s’ of defending – sprint, slow down, side-on, steal.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 2: Winning the ball

Three-part session to master the ‘four S’s’ of defending – sprint, slow down, side-on, steal.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 3: Winning the ball

Three-part session to master the ‘four S’s’ of defending – sprint, slow down, side-on, steal.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Small-sided game: Freedom of the press

This session promotes proactive closing down to win possession. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with two progres...

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 2: Freedom of the press

Don’t wait for an error - this three-part session promotes proactive closing down of the ball to win back possession

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Small-sided game: Setting the traps

Coach the techniques, principles and tactics of defending as a unit to win the ball in wide areas.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 2: Setting the traps

Coach the techniques, principles and tactics of defending as a unit to win the ball in wide areas.

Trusted by thousands of coaches

Volunteer coach

You volunteered to coach but have no coaching experience or qualifications. You’re short of time and could benefit from being told what to ...

more

Travel / ODP coach

You’ve been coaching a while but are looking for ideas and inspiration to help you take your team to the next level.

more

High School coach

You’re looking for an extra edge in the pursuit of excellence and will do whatever you can to help the players in your care be successful ...

more

Director of Coaching

You manage a team of coaches who rely on you for coaching plans and advice. You could benefit from finding a reliable resource to help them ...

more

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 1: Setting the traps

Coach the techniques, principles and tactics of defending as a unit to win the ball in wide areas.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 1: Delay for support

Three-part session to develop defenders’ ability to delay their opponents until help arrives.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 2: Delay for support

Three-part session to develop defenders’ ability to delay their opponents until help arrives.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 3: Delay for support

Three-part session to develop defenders’ ability to delay their opponents until help arrives.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Repetition circuit

Two areas, side-by-side, allows for dynamic 1v2 action to develop a wide range of skills.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Combat 2v2

Players are challenged to attack quickly, and be compact when defending, in this activity.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Full-back attack

Use this practice to encourage your wide defenders to make supporting runs up field and get attempts on goal.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 2: Exploiting overloads

Develop players’ understanding of when and how to make the most of a numerical advantage.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Small-sided game: Exploiting overloads

Develop players’ understanding of when and how to make the most of a numerical advantage.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice 1: Exploiting overloads

Develop players’ understanding of when and how to make the most of a numerical advantage.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Small-sided game: Pressed into action

Apply pressure, regain possession and then use the ball in this session. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with two ...

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice: Pressed into action

Apply pressure, regain possession and then use the ball in this session. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with two ...

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Warm-up: Pressed into action

Apply pressure, regain possession and then use the ball in this session. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with two ...

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Small-sided game: Through the thirds

Develop your players’ ability to play through a crowded midfield with this three-part session.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Practice: Through the thirds

Develop your players’ ability to play through a crowded midfield with this session.

bookmark_borderSave to Library

Execute the high press

Developing players’ ability to work as a unit and apply pressure up the pitch.

Newsletter Sign Up

Join over 75k coaches that are saving time searching for fresh coaching ideas with our free email newsletter: ✔ New drills ✔ New games ✔ New warm-ups. Delivered direct to your email inbox

Coaches' Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful soccer coach

In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.

SUBSCRIBE

*includes 3 coaching manuals

Get Weekly Inspiration

All the latest techniques and approaches

Soccer Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use soccer drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.

We've been at the cutting edge of soccer coaching since we launched in 2007, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.

Defending drills and games

Trusted by thousands of coaches

Subscribe Today

Latest Issue

Popular Activities

Newsletter Sign Up

Coaches' Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful soccer coach

More from us

© 2024 Soccer Coach Weekly

Part of Green Star Media Ltd. Company number: 3008779