Football drills
Football defending drills
8 free Football drills for defending, each with the setup, how it runs, what to coach, and how to make it harder or easier.
8 drills
Dribbling & 1v1Defending1v1 to the end lineAn attacker tries to dribble over the end line past one defender.12 min · 4–12 players · U7+
Dribbling & 1v1Defending1v1 with a recovering defenderAn attacker races to goal with a defender chasing from behind, learning to protect the ball and shoot early.15 min · 5–13 players · U11+
DefendingDecision-making2v2 cover and balanceTwo defenders learn to press, cover and balance as two attackers move the ball and try to score past a keeper.15 min · 5–12 players · U12+
DefendingPositional playBack four: shift, cover and dropA back four and keeper defend against six attackers, shifting with the ball, covering the full-back and stepping up or dropping as a line.25 min · 11–14 players · U16+
Set piecesDefendingDefending corners: zonal and markingA simple mixed set-up for defending corners. Three players hold zones, two mark the best headers, and everyone steps out after the clearance.15 min · 13–16 players · U13+
HeadingDefendingDefensive headers and clearancesDefenders step in front of an attacker to head a served ball high, far and wide into target zones.10 min · 4–10 players · U13+
DefendingJockey and channel: 1v1 defendingA defender closes down an attacker in a narrow channel, gets side-on and shows them away from the centre gate.14 min · 4–12 players · U11+
DefendingPressingPress and cover 3v3The first defender presses the ball and the second covers. Swap roles after each goal.15 min · 6–8 players · U11+