Trigger of when to is the ball leaving the foot of the passing player when he/she is looking at the ball. Defending player presses the receiving player by quick movement as the ball is travelling and then goes tight on the receiving player who must look up to see where to play the pass causing mistakes and missed passes or the presser blocks the pass. In each case the presser has a chance to win the ball.

Keep your arms out at all times when dribbling around defenders. You can use them to brush past players, improve your balance, and keep players farther away from you. Good balance will help you cut quickly in any direction while retaining control of the ball. Land on the front of your feet every step, whether you are dribbling forward with your laces or cutting across your body using an inside touch.

Try to move the ball quickly, using a maximum of one or two touches. Try to get players to use one touch passing and only to depend on a second touch when they have to control a poor pass. When we make the pass between the lines to the attackers it should be a firm pass. Players should learn when to control the ball and slow the play down and when to play one-touch to speed the play up.

Defending against crosses | Defending Soccer Drills

In this drill players learn about how and when to stop their opponents playing around, through or over the defence working on how to squeeze space, defend crosses and shots and cover the central areas in and around the penalty area.

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Coaching Objectives

Pressing the ball out of possession, defending the central areas of the pitch forcing play out wide. Blocking shots and crosses with good timing and covering passing routes into the penalty area. Defenders work as a team to win the ball and counter attack. Creativity should be part of the attacking play at both ends.

Support play with good position
Scan before receiving
Be diagonal to the ball
Pass into player's runs
Receive on the back foot
Be open to the play when receiving
Vertical passes between the lines

Drill Setup

25 Mins
15 Players
2 Goals
8 Yellow 5 Blue Bibs
Half pitch y

What the Players Do

Use half a pitch with a goal at each end. The pitch is coned at the attackers' end with a 4 yard shaded area across the front of the penalty area. Use two wide attackers on each side, with a 2v2…

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Defending against crosses

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Coaching Objectives

Drill Setup

What the Players Do

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Defending against crosses

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Coaching Objectives

Drill Setup

What the Players Do

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