Defending
1-to-1 Defending Technique
Individual defending shape and footwork
Defending
Tackling
Pressing
Premium
1-to-1 Defending Technique is a 14-minute defending drill for 1-2 players, suitable for Under 5 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.
Back to drill libraryDefending
Tackling
Pressing
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
1-to-1
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Duration
14 min
Players
1-2
Pitch size
15 x 10 yards
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
1-to-1 Defending Technique — 4 gates — score by travelling through · 15 x 10 yards
Step 1 of 3Defender presses, sets, and shows the attacker towards the marked side.
- 1. Defender presses, sets, and shows the attacker towards the marked side.
- 2. Six repetitions, resetting after each one.
- 3. Score a point for every ball won or forced out.
- Cones mark the area
- Cone gates to dribble / pass through
- Ball
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Individual defending shape and footwork
- -Time the tackle rather than dive in
- -Learn to show an attacker away from danger
Setup
- 1Channel with a gate at each end.
- 2Coach or partner attacks with the ball.
- 3Cones mark the side the defender should show towards.
Coaching instructions
- 1Defender presses, sets, and shows the attacker towards the marked side.
- 2Six repetitions, resetting after each one.
- 3Score a point for every ball won or forced out.
Coaching points
- -Approach at speed then slow into a side-on stance
- -Low centre of gravity, small steps, never crossed feet
- -Front foot pointing the attacker one way
- -Tackle when the ball is away from the attacker's body
Common mistakes
- -Square-on and easy to beat either side
- -Diving in on the first touch
- -Backing off all the way to the goal