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Defending

48 Drills
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Defending Soccer Drills -Cover & Balance

Defending fits into your tactics, formation, and style of play as a key element. Why, when, and how is what you as a coach must concentrate on when preparing your team to defend against attacks. The elements of possession, position, and pressing should come into your coaching strategy. There will be individual, team, and group play involved in good defensive play.

Using the defending drills on Cupello will help you coach your players to make decisions on individual, group, and team play all over the pitch.

Soccer Coaching Tips

Win the ball back in 6 seconds – if you don't, drop into a defensive formation.

Think about body shape when defending 1v1 – side on, on balls of feet, crouch, ready to react.

Check shoulders so you know if there is a player lurking behind you waiting for a through ball.

Girl Defend
  • Defending Transitions
  • 8-18

Defending the Overload

At times players may find themselves in overloaded situations this may only be f...

Difficulty

Free

Girl Defend
  • Defending Transitions
  • 13-18+

Protecting the Middle

A lot of teams defend the middle of the pitch to force the opposition wide to pr...

Difficulty

Defending
  • Defending
  • 13-18+

Defending the Counter Attack

Transition is an important part of the game, as coaches we need to ensure we hav...

Difficulty

Free

Girl Tackle
  • Defending Transitions Tactics Midfield
  • 11-18+

Being Compact

Being compact when out of possession is key in stopping the opposition from play...

Difficulty

Girl Slidetackle
  • Attacking Defending Transitions
  • 8-18+

Delay and Play

Delaying the opposition is an important principle to help you win the ball back,...

Difficulty

Girl Defending
  • Defending Transitions Tactics
  • 11-18+

Recovery Runs

It’s important we work on players ability to recover when losing possession, a...

Difficulty

Defend from Behind
  • Defending
  • 8-15

Defend from Behind

1v1 is one of the key battles you will see in any youth soccer match and success...

Difficulty

Girl Defending
  • Defending Fun Games
  • 8-15

1v1 Battles

Defending techniques, timing and understanding is vital in preventing the opposi...

Difficulty

Learn when to press and keep distance
  • Defending
  • 11-15

Defending Compact

Recognising when to press as a team and keeping good distances out of possession...

Difficulty

Players develop defending technique
  • Defending
  • 11-15

2v2 Battles

Defending technique and understanding is vital in the game, watch your players c...

Difficulty

Organisation is key to creating a solid defensive back three
  • Defending
  • 8-15

Creating A Robust Back Three

An organised back three can become a solid defensive unit, keeping strikers and ...

Difficulty

Free

Defending
  • Defending
  • 8-15

Preventing Forward Play

Being compact and stopping the opposition from playing forward will stop goal sc...

Difficulty

Defending
  • Defending Tactics
  • 16-18+

Defending Centre Areas

Protecting the middle of the pitch when out of possession is key in stopping the...

Difficulty

Defending In Numbers
  • Defending
  • 13-15

Defending Compact

Players will develop their understanding of when to press and when to provide co...

Difficulty

2v2 Competitive Duels
  • Defending
  • 11-15

2v2 Battles

In the practice players will have the opportunity to practice their defending sk...

Difficulty

Free

Keep Wingers Wide
  • Defending
  • 11-15

Keep Wingers Wide

Keeping track of wingers means defenders must move to cover the runs of the wing...

Difficulty

1v1 to 2v1
  • Defending
  • 11-18

1v1 to 2v1

In this game players are coached in support play and positions when the goal is ...

Difficulty

Competition between defender and forward soccer players
  • Defending
  • 13-15

Individual Defending

Developing the technique of individual defending will improve players ability to...

Difficulty

Free

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