How to Coach a Defending Drill in Kids' Soccer

The classic one-on-one games are some of the best training your players can do to improve their defending skills.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soccer Apparel
• Soccer Cleats
• Soccer Shin Guards
• Soccer Uniforms
• Soccer Videos
• soccer balls

1. Divide the team into pairs and have one player from each pair place his or her ball several yards away. This ball will be the goal. This can be done freely around the field without any boundaries.

2. Progress to one-on-one in a grid and create 20-foot-by-10-foot grids.

3. Have the two players play one-on-one, with each player defending an end line. The player with the ball is the attacker, and the player without the ball is the defender. When possession changes, the roles change, and the defender now becomes the attacker.

4. Teach the defender to pressure the receiver.

5. Award a point to the player who manages to dribble over the opponent's end line.

6. Increase the size of the grid to 20 feet by 15 feet or 20 feet by 20 feet and the game to two-on-two or even three or four on a side.

7. Explain first and second defender tactics in larger games.

8. Make increases according to age or skill level.

9. Keep the games short, as they are very tiring.

Tips & Warnings

• Discuss the angle of approach and the distance from the attacker.
• Advise the defender to make play predictable by forcing the attacker into a desired area and to push the attacker into the small space, onto the weak foot, onto the defender's strong foot, or to an area where another defender can support.
• Soccer is a physically demanding sport that could result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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