Soccer Defending Drills

Soccer Defending Drills will assure your team understands the tactic and technique of playing defense during a soccer match. Defending is the ability to prevent the opponent from getting chances and moving the ball forward. Although defense in soccer is not seen as a sexy part of the game, the truth is playing defense is a significant component of the game of soccer, as roughly half of your time is playing defense.

Pressure, cover, and balance are the three ingredients to coaching defense.

Pressure, cover, and balance are the three ingredients to coaching defense and is the key to good defensive shape. The idea is to put immediate pressure on the ball in attempt to dispossess your opponent as quickly as possible.

Pressure will teach the closest player to the ball to put pressure on the attacking player in hopes to dispossess the attacker or make them make a mistake.

Cover is a defensive positioning that gives immediate support to the pressuring players by positioning themselves near the pressure.

Balance refers to the ability of the team to position themselves in an excellent defensive posture that does not allow the switching of the ball to off-balance the defense.

Browse the Latest Soccer Defending Drills

1v1 Speed and Reaction Game

Chris Johnson 17,578 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

1v1 Speed and Reaction Game is a fun addition to any practice that focuses on quick reaction and speed, ending with a 1v1 to small goals.

1v1 Attacking to a Full-Size Goal

Chris Johnson 13,518 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

1v1 attacking drill that focuses on beating the defender in a 1v1 situation and finishing on a full-size goal.

Defensive Clearances- Up and Out

Chris Johnson 18,017 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

This defensive soccer drill focuses on clearing balls from the back third of the field. Defenders are taught to handle difficult balls while clearing them high and wide.

Circle Rondo Soccer Drill

Chris Johnson 13,481 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

This circle rondo soccer drill is a great warm-up drill before a game, or a drill for your practice session.

1v1 Battle - Attacking and Reaction Drill

Chris Johnson 8,207 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

This 1v1 soccer battle drill will focus on the attacking and defending aspects of the game.

2v2 Battle - Attacking and Defending Drill

Chris Johnson 10,824 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

This 2v2 soccer attacking and defending drill focuses on the attacker's decision to dribble, pass, or shoot. From the defensive side, they must quickly close down the attackers and deny space.

4v2 Soccer

Chris Johnson 12,880 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

This 4v2 game will focus on building an attack near the penalty area and getting shots on goal.

1v1 Attacking and Reaction Drill

Chris Johnson 7,117 Views Rating 0 (0 Reviews)

This 1v1 soccer attacking drill focuses on the attacker making quick faints, a change of direction, and a burst of speed while causing the defender to react quickly to the attacker's movements.

6 vs 4 Team Training Numbers

Chris Johnson 114,985 Views Rating 3.47 (19 Reviews)

This 6 vs 4 team training drill focuses on passing and team play. The 6v4 soccer game is great finish to a passing training session.

7v7 Scrimmage

Chris Johnson 121,408 Views Rating 4.4 (5 Reviews)

It's always good to finishing a soccer training session with a 7 vs. 7 scrimmage to focus on team play.