Soccer Defending Drills

Triangle Goal Game

The Triangle Goal Soccer Game will focus on all aspects of the game such as passing, moving, and finishing. The players will have to work together as a team to quickly off-balance the defender and catch the goalkeeper off guard.

Quick Transition Game

This soccer drill is an excellent way to focus on attacking and defending and is ideal for teaching the basic principals of soccer. The game can be modified to illustrate many aspects of the game.

Lane Spacing and Separation Soccer Game

This soccer game uses lanes to divide the soccer field into three equal areas to teach spacing and separation to young soccer players.

1v1 Dribble Attack with Shot

The purpose of this 1v1 drill is to focus on dribbling to beat a defender and finishing with a shot. This drill can also be used to focus on defensive players defending the dribble.

1v1, 1v2, 2v2 - 4 goal game

This 1v1, 2v2 to multiple goals soccer drill puts soccer players in 1v1 and 2v2 situations with multiple goals. 1v1 soccer helps players focus on penetration by forcing the player to dribble to beat their opponent and allows players to make the attack unpredictable through creativity. Your kids will love this soccer drill!

Diagonal 1v1 Soccer Drill

This 1v1 soccer drill is great to focus on 1v1 play whether it is on the offensive or the defensive side. On the offensive side, you can get attackers to attack the defenders with speed, quick change of pace with an explosive touch to get away, and getting behind the defensive players. On the defensive side, you can focus on closing down quickly, forcing the attacker to the side and closing down the attack.

Clean Your Room

This soccer game is a great drill for U5 through U8 players. The clean your room soccer drill will focus on dribbling under pressure while also working on defensive pressure as an individual or a small group.

1v1v1 Triangle Game

The 1v1v1 Triangle Game soccer drill focuses on attacking in a number-down situation. This game will encourage players to dribble, take players on, shield the ball from the defensive players, and the vision to find the open goal. Defensively this drill promotes players to stay aware of their defensive shape and tackling players on the dribble.

Pressure/Cover Tactical Defending Soccer Game

This soccer drill is designed to help players identify the roles of the first defender (the closest player to the ball) and the second defender (the supporting player providing cover). It focuses on teaching players how to effectively pressure the ball handler while maintaining proper positioning for defensive support.

1v1 Defending the Dribble

This 1v1 soccer defending drill will isolate the defender to focus on the first defender and defending the dribble. Modify this drill to focus on the first attacker taking on the defender.

1v1 Defending the Dribble with Teammate

The purpose of this drill is to isolate the defender to focus on the first defender and defending the dribble while working with a teammate. This teaches young soccer players to work together with your teammate to shut down the attacker.

Defensive Speed Course

This soccer fitness drill is designed to improve defensive speed and quickness in front of the goal. This exercise is intended to be more of a fitness training drill than a technical or tactical defensive soccer training drill.