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Defending drills

Drills you can run at practice.

Team drill
Defensive Shape 4v4
Run at practice

Defending

12 minutes
Defensive Shape 4v4
Defending
Legend
Player
Opponent
Ball
Player movement
Ball path
How It Works

Maintain a compact defensive block in a 4v4, using cover, balance, and compactness principles.

More drills
What You Need
conessoccer ballscrimmage vestsgoals
Your Focus

Individual defending becomes team defending through shape, cover, and communication.

1
Set Up

Play 4v4 on a 25x20 yard field. Defending team plays with compact mid-block.

2
Run The Rep
A.
Coach assigns each defender a zone and a cover responsibility.
B.
Attacking team circulates possession; defending team must shift as a unit.
C.
Award defending team 1 point for every 30 seconds they keep a clean sheet.
D.
Award attacking team 1 point for getting in behind the block.
3
Check It

Compact, close the spaces, not the players

Goal

You're there when attackers struggle to find gaps between the four defenders, a compact block means at least 3 consecutive stops before they score.

Helpful Cues
Compact, close the spaces, not the playersNearest defender presses; others coverShift together, one player dropping means someone else must fill
UPLVL IT

Attacking team has 5 players vs.

Source: US Soccer Grassroots Curriculum
Team drill
Defensive Transition and Recovery
Run at practice

Defending

12 minutes
Defensive Transition and Recovery
Defending
Legend
Player
Opponent
Coach
Ball
Player movement
Opponent movement
Ball path
How It Works

Sprint to recover defensive position after losing possession and reorganize the defensive shape before the attack arrives.

More drills
What You Need
conessoccer ballscrimmage vestsgoals
Your Focus

Defensive transition — the moment of losing the ball — is the most dangerous moment in soccer.

1
Set Up

6v6 on a 50x35 yard field. When the coach blows whistle, the team in possession immediately gives the ball to the other team.

2
Run The Rep
A.
The team that just lost the ball must sprint back and defend within 5 seconds.
B.
Attacking team has 8 seconds to score before the defence reorganizes.
C.
Award 3 points for goals scored before defence reorganizes, 1 for goals after.
D.
Run the whistle trigger every 2 minutes.
3
Check It

Sprint back, not jog, sprint, until you're goal-side of your player

Goal

Success is getting back in position before the attack arrives at your defensive line, if you're still catching up when they shoot, the recovery was too slow.

Helpful Cues
Sprint back, not jog, sprint, until you're goal-side of your playerGet compact first, then press, shape before individual actionThe first player back must communicate to organize the rest
UPLVL IT

The last two defenders must touch a far cone before they can recover, extra distance.

Source: US Soccer Grassroots Curriculum
Solo drill
Shadow Defending
Run at practice

Defending

12 minutes1-2 Players
Shadow Defending
Defending
Legend
Player
Defender
Ball
Cone
Player movement
Defender movement
How It Works

Mirror an attacker's movement without committing to a tackle, practicing the defensive stance and staying on feet.

More drills
What You Need
conessoccer ball
Your Focus

Young defenders tend to dive in immediately and get beaten.

1
Set Up

Pairs face each other in a 10x5 yard lane.

2
Run The Rep
A.
Attacker dribbles slowly side to side; defender must mirror the movement staying 1-2 yards away.
B.
Defender must stay between the attacker and the goal (a cone at the end of the lane).
C.
Attacker cannot score unless they get past the defender.
D.
Run for 30 seconds per round; switch roles.
3
Check It

Stay on your toes, flat feet get beaten

Goal

You've got it when you stay on your feet the whole rep, no diving in, no losing balance.

Helpful Cues
Stay on your toes, flat feet get beatenDon't lunge, wait for the momentKeep your eyes on the ball, not the attacker's body
UPLVL IT

Attacker can now go full speed and try to beat the defender.

Source: US Soccer Grassroots Curriculum
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