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Soccer Defending Drills

SOCCER DEFENDING DRILLS, SOCCER DEFENSIVE PRACTICES, SOCCER DEFENSE SKILLS, DEFENSIVE TRAINING SESSIONS

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

Soccer Defending Drills

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.

2v2 Battle - Attacking and Defending Drill

2v2 Battle - Attacking and Defending Drill

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.


Age: 9+ Field: 30X40
Players: 8+ Focus: ATTACKING
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 2.6 / 5 Views: 27,043
Published: 1/19/2021 Author: Chris Johnson
4v4, Thirds of the Field, Shape and Positioning

4v4, Thirds of the Field, Shape and Positioning

This 4v4 drill is great for improving shape and positioning. Each player has their own responsibility: 1) attacker/target player stretches the field closer to the goal they are attacking. 2) winger players stretch the width of the field. 3) defensive player gives support to wingers and target player while staying the last man.


Age: 7-14 Field: 25X40
Players: 8+ Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 1 / 5 Views: 38,006
Published: 9/29/2022 Author: Chris Johnson
1v1 Transition

1v1 Transition

This is a fast-paced 1v1 game that focuses on quickly transitioning from the attack to defense.


Age: 8+ Field: 25X25
Players: 6+ Focus: ATTACKING
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 19,124
Published: 1/6/2023 Author: Chris Johnson
1v1 Attacking to a Full-Size Goal

1v1 Attacking to a Full-Size Goal

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


Age: 9+ Field: 30X30
Players: 6+ Focus: ATTACKING
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: YES Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 34,622
Published: 2/13/2021 Author: Chris Johnson
1v1 Battle - Attacking and Reaction Drill

1v1 Battle - Attacking and Reaction Drill

This 1v1 soccer battle drill will focus on the attacker's change of direction, change of pace, and burst of speed to the goal all while working on the defender's ability to close down the attacker quickly, reaction time, speed of recovery, and angles of defense.


Age: 9+ Field: 30X40
Players: 4+ Focus: ATTACKING
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 19,726
Published: 1/19/2021 Author: Chris Johnson
4v4 Scrimmage to Mini-Goals

4v4 Scrimmage to Mini-Goals

The objective of a 4v4 soccer scrimmage to mini-goals is to replicate the dynamics of a full-sided game in a smaller, more controlled environment. This format encourages players to focus on quick decision-making, positioning, and maintaining possession under pressure, as well as improving their ability to transition between attacking and defending. The mini-goals emphasize accuracy and composure in front of the goal, helping players develop finishing skills without the presence of a goalkeeper.


Age: 4+ Field: 30x20
Players: 8 Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: Medium Time: 15 min.
Goalkeeper: No Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 3,694
Published: 8/30/2024 Author: Chris Johnson
Hexagonal Rondo

Hexagonal Rondo

The Hexagonal Rondo drill focuses on quick passing and movement within a six-sided grid, emphasizing control and spatial awareness. Players work to maintain possession by creating passing angles and exploiting gaps in the defensive shape. The objective is to enhance technical precision, quick decision-making, and fluid team coordination.


Age: 10+ Field: 10x15
Players: 10 Focus: Passing
Difficulty: Medium Time: 15 min.
Goalkeeper: No Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 10,051
Published: 9/11/2024 Author: Chris Johnson
3v3, 4-Goal Small-Sided Game  Funino

3v3, 4-Goal Small-Sided Game Funino

This drill encourages players to recognize attacking opportunities by creating space, making quick decisions, and choosing the best option between two goals. Defensively, players learn to cover space effectively and transition quickly.


Age: 4-14 Field: 20X30
Players: 6+ Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 2,212
Published: 2/13/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
4v4+3 Continuous Transition Rondo

4v4+3 Continuous Transition Rondo

This drill develops quick decision-making, first-touch passing, defensive pressing, and transition play. Players learn to maintain possession under pressure while reacting instantly to role changes when possession shifts.


Age: 13+ Field: 10X20
Players: 11+ Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: Hard Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 2,025
Published: 2/13/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
4v4+4 Continuous Transition Rondo

4v4+4 Continuous Transition Rondo

This drill enhances quick decision-making, possession retention, and defensive pressing. Players develop composure under pressure, transition speed, and teamwork through a continuous cycle of possession and defending.


Age: 13+ Field: 10X20
Players: 12+ Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: Hard Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 2,553
Published: 2/13/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
4v4+4 Corner Rondo

4v4+4 Corner Rondo

This drill enhances passing accuracy, spatial awareness, and teamwork by encouraging players to use the four corner players as outlets to maintain possession. It also develops defensive pressure and quick transitions.


Age: 12+ Field: 25X25
Players: 12+ Focus: Game-like
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 3,506
Published: 2/13/2025 Author: Chris Johnson
4v4+1 Corner Support Rondo

4v4+1 Corner Support Rondo

This drill improves quick passing, spatial awareness, and teamwork by encouraging players to use both central and corner support players to maintain possession. Players develop composure under pressure and transition awareness.


Age: 9+ Field: 15X15
Players: 9+ Focus: POSSESSION
Difficulty: MEDIUM Time: 20 MINS.
Goalkeeper: NO Team
Rating: 0 / 5 Views: 4,197
Published: 2/13/2025 Author: Chris Johnson

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