Soccer Defending Drills
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Soccer Tactics
4 vs. 4 Tactical: Striker Over The Line
Exercise for youngsters training the striker insertions and the 1 vs. 1 with the goalkeeper
Positioning
Movements for the 4-man defensive line with lateral ball
Movements for the 4-man defensive line with lateral ball
Positioning - Educational drill for 4-man defensive line and lateral ball management
Depth
4-3-3: outside two-player combination and finalization
4-3-3: outside two-player combination and finalization
Depth - Offensive combination for attacking depth with a 2 v 1 on the opposing full-back
Depth
Rondo 4 vs 2: Striker gets away from marker
Rondo 4 vs 2: Striker gets away from marker
Depth - Preparatory drill for the seek of depth through striker's cuts
Pressing
Pressing and preventing counterattack - Barcelona FC
Pressing and preventing counterattack - Barcelona FC
Pressing - Simplified game to train pressing and prevent counterattack
Depth
6 v 6 thematic match scoring in the end zone
6 v 6 thematic match scoring in the end zone
Depth - 6 v 6 tactical match with field divided into two horizontal zones
Corner kick
Corner kick in favor with short play
Corner kick in favor with short play
Corner kick - Build-up from a corner kick with short play and subsequent block to free the player that shoots from outside the area
1v1
Rondo 3 v 1 plus 1 v 1 for finalization
Rondo 3 v 1 plus 1 v 1 for finalization
1v1 - Rondo 3 v 1, plus 1 v 1 situation on the lateral band for crossing into the box and finishing on goal
Possession
7 v 4 thematic match with build-ups from the back for finishing on goal
7 v 4 thematic match with build-ups from the back for finishing on goal
Possession - Thematic match of defenders and midfielders against offensive players to build the play with finishing on goal and transitions
Passing
Analytical exercise for ball transmission sequences plus 1 v 1
Analytical exercise for ball transmission sequences plus 1 v 1
Passing - Four-player passing sequences with triangulations and final 1 v 1 situation with precision shot or ball driving
Possession
5 v 5 + 4 neutral players with possession and finishing zone - Mikel Arteta
5 v 5 + 4 neutral players with possession and finishing zone - Mikel Arteta
Possession - Mikel Arteta's drill on ball possession and quick finishing
Possession
Double rectangle in a 3 + goalkeeper v 2 situation and a 1 v 1 situation
Double rectangle in a 3 + goalkeeper v 2 situation and a 1 v 1 situation
Possession - Building from the back in numerical superiority situation 3 + goalkeeper against 2 to win ground in 1 v 1 duel zone
Education
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Education - What is bio-banding? What is the theoretical basis of bio-banding? How do we identify the stages of growth in soccer players? Let's find that out in this article.
Passing
Combination of out-in-out passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of out-in-out passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Diego Pablo Simeone's exercise: sequence of ball passing with combination of passes between several players
Passing
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Exercise by Diego Pablo Simeone: sequence of passes with combinations between several players
Anaerobic lactic
Small-Sided Game in offensive superiority
Small-Sided Game in offensive superiority
Anaerobic lactic - SSG to be offered in multiple age groups by applying due consideration (number of sets and repetitions, size of the field, number of players, increased attention to joint mobility and endurance)
2v1
2 v 1 with functional movements
2 v 1 with functional movements
2v1 - Finishing in a 2 v 1 numerical superiority situation in favor of the offensive players
Creating space
Unmarking, control to open and finishing
Unmarking, control to open and finishing
Creating space - Train offensive players on unmarking for finalization
Possession
7 v 5 Ball possession: offensive superiority - Mikel Arteta
7 v 5 Ball possession: offensive superiority - Mikel Arteta
Possession - Mikel Arteta's ball possession drill to train superiority in attack and quick completion
Passing
Thomas Tuchel's Passing Hexagon - Bayern Munich FC
Thomas Tuchel's Passing Hexagon - Bayern Munich FC
Passing - Ball passing sequence with combination between multiple players
Passing
Combination of passes at varying distances - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of passes at varying distances - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Exercise by Diego Pablo Simeone: sequence of ball passing with combination of passes and unmarking between several players
Support
Small-sided Game: support play
Small-sided Game: support play
Support - Small-sided game to improve ball possession and support play
Possession
Rondo 2 v 2 + 2 neutral players: switch play and 1 v 1
Rondo 2 v 2 + 2 neutral players: switch play and 1 v 1
Possession - Rondo 2 v 2 with 2 jokers for wide ball possession and final 1 v 1 situation with finishing
1v1
Duels 1 v 1 with a pass - Valencia CF
Duels 1 v 1 with a pass - Valencia CF
1v1 - 1 v 1 situations to train positioning, dribbling and tackling a frontal attack
Dribbling
Dribbling in different size spaces
Dribbling in different size spaces
Dribbling - Improve dribbling and close control in spaces of different sizes
Mobility
Pinball
Pinball
Mobility - In this popular game you train motor skills, strength, mobility and endurance that will affect the growth of the soccer player
Shooting
Competition of shots on goal
Competition of shots on goal
Shooting - Team challenge on shots on goal with different types of stops and ball control
Basic motor skills
Motor-cognitive circuit with 1 v 1 challenge
Motor-cognitive circuit with 1 v 1 challenge
Basic motor skills - Motor station with cognitive inputs to train speed and speed of processing in 1 v 1
Passing
Technical warm-up - Peripheral vision, passing and running with the ball
Technical warm-up - Peripheral vision, passing and running with the ball
Passing - Improve players' technique by also stimulating peripheral vision
Perception
Cognitive run with two balls
Cognitive run with two balls
Perception - Drill for coordination and cognitive skills to be used in warm-up as well
1v1
Quick 1 v 1 with shot on goal
Quick 1 v 1 with shot on goal
1v1 - Practice for fast ball driving and goal shooting with 1 v 1 situation (attack and defend)
Dribbling
Running with the ball performing feints and shooting at goal
Running with the ball performing feints and shooting at goal
Dribbling - Ball control with dribbling and shooting trying a running technique
Passing
Basics of one-touch passing - Atalanta Calcio
Basics of one-touch passing - Atalanta Calcio
Passing - Building the foundation for proper one-touch triangulation
Running with the ball
Ball control: Observe and occupy spaces
Ball control: Observe and occupy spaces
Running with the ball - Exercise running with the ball and controlling it with differentiation and orientation skills
2v2
2 v 2: Get out of high press and attack quickly
2 v 2: Get out of high press and attack quickly
2v2 - 2 v 2 game situation with defender's high pressing for ball recovery
Running with the ball
Basic motor skills and cognitive: The spoils
Basic motor skills and cognitive: The spoils
Running with the ball - Cognitive drill with the ball for Youth Academies
Running with the ball
Game: Numbered squares corner
Game: Numbered squares corner
Running with the ball - Game proposal for basic activity to train carrying the ball inside a square
Passing
Decision making ability: under pressure passes
Decision making ability: under pressure passes
Passing - Exercise to train quick decision making under pressure
Education
The importance of intellectual stimulations
The importance of intellectual stimulations
Education - Raise a "thinking player" thanks to many stimuli offered by futsal playing situations
Tactical
YouCoachApp: the session planning software for your coaching philosophy
YouCoachApp: the session planning software for your coaching philosophy
Tactical - YouCoachApp helps every soccer coach in the organization of the seasonal and weekly planning. Let’s see how you can use it to respect the season-plan provided by the U.S. Soccer Curriculum and how can you customize it
Creating space
Receiving behind the opponent's back - Marcelo Bielsa
Receiving behind the opponent's back - Marcelo Bielsa
Creating space - Analytical drill by Marcelo Bielsa to train the forward to lure the opponent out of their zone and then exploit the space created
Passing
Combination of out-in-out passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of out-in-out passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Diego Pablo Simeone's exercise: sequence of ball passing with combination of passes between several players
Passing
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Exercise by Diego Pablo Simeone: sequence of passes with combinations between several players
Anaerobic lactic
Small-Sided Game in offensive superiority
Small-Sided Game in offensive superiority
Anaerobic lactic - SSG to be offered in multiple age groups by applying due consideration (number of sets and repetitions, size of the field, number of players, increased attention to joint mobility and endurance)
Education
Attention: Is it my problem?
Attention: Is it my problem?
Education - Kids are often labeled as energetic, rowdy, distracted when in reality the problem could be the way we communicate and manage practices
Education
Effective communication between the coach and the team: Obstacles and strategies to promote a constructive dialogue - Part 1
Effective communication between the coach and the team: Obstacles and strategies to promote a constructive dialogue - Part 1
Education - Communication between the coach and the team is not a spontaneous process, it requires the right approach and constant effort
Education
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Education - What is bio-banding? What is the theoretical basis of bio-banding? How do we identify the stages of growth in soccer players? Let's find that out in this article.
Nutrition
Are food supplements useful? When and how to use them
Are food supplements useful? When and how to use them
Nutrition - Is it necessary to use food supplements in sports? Let's dive into this increasingly popular topic
Nutrition
Nutritional Strategies In Half Time
Nutritional Strategies In Half Time
Nutrition - What foods are recommended to obtain a good performance in the second half? The nutritionist’s advice
Education
Muscle cramps: What they are and what to do when they occur
Muscle cramps: What they are and what to do when they occur
Education - Cramps are quite frequent on soccer fields and affect both professional and amateur players: why do they occur and how can you deal with them?
Education
Skeletal muscle tissue: what is it and how does it work?
Skeletal muscle tissue: what is it and how does it work?
Education - This brief text describes the striated skeletal muscle, i.e., the muscle that permits movement!
Attacking Principles
4-3-3 - Attacking development to shooting
4-3-3 - Attacking development to shooting
Attacking Principles - Combination proposal to get to shooting after a rejection by an opponent defender
Game construction for 4-3-3 system: Holding Midfielder free to play and Side Midfielder centralizing
Playing out from the back - Game construction proposal for 4-3-3 system with Holding Midfielder free to play and Internal Midfielder's insertion
Match Analysis
Match Analysis Method
Match Analysis Method
Match Analysis - The methodology and reasoning at the base of Match Analysis
Match Analysis
Graziano Pellè - Technical and tactical analysis
Graziano Pellè - Technical and tactical analysis
Match Analysis - The player from Lecce, aged 30, has deserved the role of main striker in Conte's national team, let's find out their features with a technical and tactical analysis
Corner kick
Corner kick in favor with short play
Corner kick in favor with short play
Corner kick - Build-up from a corner kick with short play and subsequent block to free the player that shoots from outside the area
Indirect free kick
Lateral free kick: long ball on the second post
Lateral free kick: long ball on the second post
Indirect free kick - Game plan for lateral free kick with zone defense
Goalkeeping
Ball possession with passback to the goalkeeper
Ball possession with passback to the goalkeeper
Goalkeeping - Exercise about possession with the objective of passing to goalkeeper, who defends their area learning to participate actively in the game with teammates
Positioning
Movements for the 4-man defensive line with lateral ball
Movements for the 4-man defensive line with lateral ball
Positioning - Educational drill for 4-man defensive line and lateral ball management
Depth
4-3-3: outside two-player combination and finalization
4-3-3: outside two-player combination and finalization
Depth - Offensive combination for attacking depth with a 2 v 1 on the opposing full-back
Depth
Rondo 4 vs 2: Striker gets away from marker
Rondo 4 vs 2: Striker gets away from marker
Depth - Preparatory drill for the seek of depth through striker's cuts
Pressing
Pressing and preventing counterattack - Barcelona FC
Pressing and preventing counterattack - Barcelona FC
Pressing - Simplified game to train pressing and prevent counterattack
Depth
6 v 6 thematic match scoring in the end zone
6 v 6 thematic match scoring in the end zone
Depth - 6 v 6 tactical match with field divided into two horizontal zones
Corner kick
Corner kick in favor with short play
Corner kick in favor with short play
Corner kick - Build-up from a corner kick with short play and subsequent block to free the player that shoots from outside the area
1v1
Rondo 3 v 1 plus 1 v 1 for finalization
Rondo 3 v 1 plus 1 v 1 for finalization
1v1 - Rondo 3 v 1, plus 1 v 1 situation on the lateral band for crossing into the box and finishing on goal
Possession
7 v 4 thematic match with build-ups from the back for finishing on goal
7 v 4 thematic match with build-ups from the back for finishing on goal
Possession - Thematic match of defenders and midfielders against offensive players to build the play with finishing on goal and transitions
Passing
Analytical exercise for ball transmission sequences plus 1 v 1
Analytical exercise for ball transmission sequences plus 1 v 1
Passing - Four-player passing sequences with triangulations and final 1 v 1 situation with precision shot or ball driving
Possession
5 v 5 + 4 neutral players with possession and finishing zone - Mikel Arteta
5 v 5 + 4 neutral players with possession and finishing zone - Mikel Arteta
Possession - Mikel Arteta's drill on ball possession and quick finishing
Possession
Double rectangle in a 3 + goalkeeper v 2 situation and a 1 v 1 situation
Double rectangle in a 3 + goalkeeper v 2 situation and a 1 v 1 situation
Possession - Building from the back in numerical superiority situation 3 + goalkeeper against 2 to win ground in 1 v 1 duel zone
Education
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Introduction to bio-banding and its scientific basis
Education - What is bio-banding? What is the theoretical basis of bio-banding? How do we identify the stages of growth in soccer players? Let's find that out in this article.
Passing
Combination of out-in-out passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of out-in-out passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Diego Pablo Simeone's exercise: sequence of ball passing with combination of passes between several players
Passing
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of diagonal passes - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Exercise by Diego Pablo Simeone: sequence of passes with combinations between several players
Anaerobic lactic
Small-Sided Game in offensive superiority
Small-Sided Game in offensive superiority
Anaerobic lactic - SSG to be offered in multiple age groups by applying due consideration (number of sets and repetitions, size of the field, number of players, increased attention to joint mobility and endurance)
2v1
2 v 1 with functional movements
2 v 1 with functional movements
2v1 - Finishing in a 2 v 1 numerical superiority situation in favor of the offensive players
Creating space
Unmarking, control to open and finishing
Unmarking, control to open and finishing
Creating space - Train offensive players on unmarking for finalization
Possession
7 v 5 Ball possession: offensive superiority - Mikel Arteta
7 v 5 Ball possession: offensive superiority - Mikel Arteta
Possession - Mikel Arteta's ball possession drill to train superiority in attack and quick completion
Passing
Thomas Tuchel's Passing Hexagon - Bayern Munich FC
Thomas Tuchel's Passing Hexagon - Bayern Munich FC
Passing - Ball passing sequence with combination between multiple players
Passing
Combination of passes at varying distances - Diego Pablo Simeone
Combination of passes at varying distances - Diego Pablo Simeone
Passing - Exercise by Diego Pablo Simeone: sequence of ball passing with combination of passes and unmarking between several players
Support
Small-sided Game: support play
Small-sided Game: support play
Support - Small-sided game to improve ball possession and support play
Possession
Rondo 2 v 2 + 2 neutral players: switch play and 1 v 1
Rondo 2 v 2 + 2 neutral players: switch play and 1 v 1
Possession - Rondo 2 v 2 with 2 jokers for wide ball possession and final 1 v 1 situation with finishing
1v1
Duels 1 v 1 with a pass - Valencia CF
Duels 1 v 1 with a pass - Valencia CF
1v1 - 1 v 1 situations to train positioning, dribbling and tackling a frontal attack
Dribbling
Dribbling in different size spaces
Dribbling in different size spaces
Dribbling - Improve dribbling and close control in spaces of different sizes
Mobility
Pinball
Pinball
Mobility - In this popular game you train motor skills, strength, mobility and endurance that will affect the growth of the soccer player
Shooting
Competition of shots on goal
Competition of shots on goal
Shooting - Team challenge on shots on goal with different types of stops and ball control
Basic motor skills
Motor-cognitive circuit with 1 v 1 challenge
Motor-cognitive circuit with 1 v 1 challenge
Basic motor skills - Motor station with cognitive inputs to train speed and speed of processing in 1 v 1
Passing
Technical warm-up - Peripheral vision, passing and running with the ball
Technical warm-up - Peripheral vision, passing and running with the ball
Passing - Improve players' technique by also stimulating peripheral vision
Perception
Cognitive run with two balls
Cognitive run with two balls
Perception - Drill for coordination and cognitive skills to be used in warm-up as well
1v1
Quick 1 v 1 with shot on goal
Quick 1 v 1 with shot on goal
1v1 - Practice for fast ball driving and goal shooting with 1 v 1 situation (attack and defend)
Dribbling
Running with the ball performing feints and shooting at goal
Running with the ball performing feints and shooting at goal
Dribbling - Ball control with dribbling and shooting trying a running technique
Passing
Basics of one-touch passing - Atalanta Calcio
Basics of one-touch passing - Atalanta Calcio
Passing - Building the foundation for proper one-touch triangulation
Running with the ball
Ball control: Observe and occupy spaces
Ball control: Observe and occupy spaces
Running with the ball - Exercise running with the ball and controlling it with differentiation and orientation skills
2v2
2 v 2: Get out of high press and attack quickly
2 v 2: Get out of high press and attack quickly
2v2 - 2 v 2 game situation with defender's high pressing for ball recovery
Running with the ball
Basic motor skills and cognitive: The spoils
Basic motor skills and cognitive: The spoils
Running with the ball - Cognitive drill with the ball for Youth Academies
Running with the ball
Game: Numbered squares corner
Game: Numbered squares corner
Running with the ball - Game proposal for basic activity to train carrying the ball inside a square