Soccer Defending Drills

Soccer defending drills to teach proper defensive skills and team strategies.

soccer defending drills soccer defensive practices soccer defense skills defensive training sessions

Defending is a vital part of soccer that requires discipline, positioning, and teamwork to stop the opposition. This page provides drills to help players develop defensive skills such as tackling, marking, and intercepting to protect their goal effectively.

Defending Drills

1v1 Transition Game MEDIUM

1v1 Transition Game

That is a fast paced 1v1 transition game mean to focus on beating the defender and getting it into your teammate, or quickly transition to defense if the ball is lost.

7+ yrs. 6+ players 15 mins. 15X15 yds. GK: no
4.17 39,456 Chris Johnson
Finding the Target Player Hard

Finding the Target Player

The Finding the Target Player possession passing drill is designed to encourage midfield and defensive players to look up the field to find the "Target Player" and play into that Target player.

12+ yrs. 8+ players 20 mins. 40X40 yds. GK: no
4.16 220,113 Chris Johnson
1v1 to Goal MEDIUM

1v1 to Goal

The 1v1 Soccer Drill to Goal is a great soccer drill to improve goal scoring opportunities. This drill focuses on beating the last defender, staying in control of the ball and finishing with a good shot on goal.

9+ yrs. 4+ players 20 mins. 25X30 yds. GK: yes
4.16 177,623 Chris Johnson
The Numbers Game MEDIUM

The Numbers Game

The Numbers Game soccer drill focuses on the 1v1 situational play for younger players. This  1v1 drill works on all dynamics of this game such as dribbling, shooting, shielding, turning and beating an opponent.

4-14 yrs. 8+ players 20 mins. 15X20 yds. GK: no