Drill category

Football defending drills

Defending drills teach the first-defender job before team pressing: approach, angle, patience and the tackle when the moment arrives.

What to coach

Close the distance quickly, then slow
Show them one way
Stay on your feet

Filter the defending drills Football session plans

All 206 football defending drills

Every drill below has its own page with the full set-up, step-by-step instructions, coaching points and progressions.

1v1 Gate Attack — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 5 to Adults
Heading Technique Practice — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
1v1 Defending — defending drill, 15 min, Under 5 to Adults
2v2 Defending Units — defending drill, 18 min, Under 5 to Adults
Pressing Triggers — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Tackling Technique — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Transition End Zones — transition drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Team Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
3v3 Continuous Games — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
Rebound Board Clearance & Recovery — defending drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
1-to-1 Defending Technique — defending drill, 14 min, Under 5 to Adults
1v1 End Zone Duels — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 5 to Adults
Defensive Heading & Clearances — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defensive Recovery Runs — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Back Four Shifting Shape — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Block & Slide Tackle Technique — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 10 to Adults
3v2 Transition Breaks — transition drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Defending Corners As A Unit — set pieces drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
2v2 Rapid Tournament — small-sided games drill, 20 min, Under 5 to Adults
Goalkeeper 1v1 Breakaways — goalkeeping drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Goalkeeper Saves Through Traffic — goalkeeping drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
1v1 Channel Duels — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 6 to Adults
Shield And Escape — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Attack v Defend The Box — crossing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Heading Technique Pairs — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defensive Heading Clearance — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Aerial Duel Practice — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
1v1 Defending Duels — defending drill, 15 min, Under 7 to Adults
Back Four Shifting Unit — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
2v2 Recovery Defending — defending drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Defending A Low Block — defending drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Cover And Balance Triangle — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Front Block Tackling — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Side-On Tackling Channel — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Poke Tackle Pressing — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
Defend The Gate — tackling drill, 15 min, Under 8 to Adults
Pressing Trigger Practice — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Mid Block Pressing Shape — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Press And Cover Waves — pressing drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Turnover To Two Goals — transition drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Rest Defence Organisation — transition drill, 20 min, Under 13 to Adults
Compact Defensive Shape — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Defending Corners Organisation — set pieces drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
4v4 To Mini Goals — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 6 to Adults
Shuttle Turns — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Agility Diamond — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Breakaway Situations — goalkeeping drill, 15 min, Under 9 to Adults
Change Of Direction Mirror — football fitness drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
1v1 Arrival Box — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 8 to Adults
Defending Recovery Runs — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Overload One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 16 min, Under 7 to Adults
Underload One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Two-Touch One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 7 to Adults
Tempo One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 7 to Adults
Transition One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Pressure One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Continuous One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 16 min, Under 7 to Adults
Rotation One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 16 min, Under 7 to Adults
Combination One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 7 to Adults
Wide Channel One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 14 min, Under 7 to Adults
Counter One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Finishing One-v-One Lane — dribbling drill, 16 min, Under 7 to Adults
Overload Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Underload Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Two-Touch Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Tempo Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Transition Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Pressure Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Continuous Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Rotation Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Combination Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Wide Channel Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Counter Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Finishing Defensive Heading Clear — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Overload Delay and Show — defending drill, 16 min, Under 8 to Adults
Underload Delay and Show — defending drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Two-Touch Delay and Show — defending drill, 14 min, Under 8 to Adults
Tempo Delay and Show — defending drill, 14 min, Under 8 to Adults
Transition Delay and Show — defending drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Pressure Delay and Show — defending drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Continuous Delay and Show — defending drill, 16 min, Under 8 to Adults
Rotation Delay and Show — defending drill, 16 min, Under 8 to Adults
Combination Delay and Show — defending drill, 14 min, Under 8 to Adults
Wide Channel Delay and Show — defending drill, 14 min, Under 8 to Adults
Counter Delay and Show — defending drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Finishing Delay and Show — defending drill, 16 min, Under 8 to Adults
Overload Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 17 min, Under 10 to Adults
Underload Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Two-Touch Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Tempo Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Transition Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 17 min, Under 10 to Adults
Pressure Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Continuous Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 17 min, Under 10 to Adults
Rotation Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 17 min, Under 10 to Adults
Combination Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Wide Channel Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Counter Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 17 min, Under 10 to Adults
Finishing Recovery Run Defending — defending drill, 17 min, Under 10 to Adults
Overload Back Four Slide — defending drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Underload Back Four Slide — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Two-Touch Back Four Slide — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Tempo Back Four Slide — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Transition Back Four Slide — defending drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Pressure Back Four Slide — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Continuous Back Four Slide — defending drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Rotation Back Four Slide — defending drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Combination Back Four Slide — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Wide Channel Back Four Slide — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Counter Back Four Slide — defending drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Finishing Back Four Slide — defending drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Overload Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 8 to Adults
Underload Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
Two-Touch Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Tempo Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Transition Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Pressure Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
Continuous Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 8 to Adults
Rotation Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 8 to Adults
Combination Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Wide Channel Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Counter Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Finishing Front Block Tackle — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 8 to Adults
Overload Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Underload Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Two-Touch Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Tempo Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Transition Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Pressure Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Continuous Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Rotation Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Combination Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Wide Channel Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Counter Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Finishing Side-On Duel — tackling drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Overload Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Underload Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Two-Touch Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Tempo Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Transition Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Pressure Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Continuous Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Rotation Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Combination Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Wide Channel Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Counter Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Finishing Pressing Trigger Grid — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Overload Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Underload Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Two-Touch Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Tempo Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Transition Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Pressure Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Continuous Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Rotation Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Combination Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Wide Channel Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Counter Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Finishing Goalkeeper One-v-One Spread — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
Overload Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Underload Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 10 to Adults
Two-Touch Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 10 to Adults
Tempo Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 10 to Adults
Transition Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Pressure Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 10 to Adults
Continuous Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Rotation Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Combination Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 10 to Adults
Wide Channel Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 14 min, Under 10 to Adults
Counter Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Finishing Goalkeeper Cross Collection — goalkeeping drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Overload Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 22 min, Under 10 to Adults
Underload Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Two-Touch Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Tempo Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Transition Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 22 min, Under 10 to Adults
Pressure Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Continuous Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 22 min, Under 10 to Adults
Rotation Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 22 min, Under 10 to Adults
Combination Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Wide Channel Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 20 min, Under 10 to Adults
Counter Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 22 min, Under 10 to Adults
Finishing Wave Attack Transition — transition drill, 22 min, Under 10 to Adults
Overload Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Underload Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Two-Touch Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Tempo Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Transition Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Pressure Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Continuous Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Rotation Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Combination Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Wide Channel Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Counter Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Finishing Shape Walkthrough — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Overload Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 22 min, Under 11 to Adults
Underload Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Two-Touch Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Tempo Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Transition Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 22 min, Under 11 to Adults
Pressure Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Continuous Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 22 min, Under 11 to Adults
Rotation Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 22 min, Under 11 to Adults
Combination Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Wide Channel Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 20 min, Under 11 to Adults
Counter Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 22 min, Under 11 to Adults
Finishing Numbers Up Shape Game — team shape drill, 22 min, Under 11 to Adults

Drills by age group

Defending drill questions coaches ask

How many football defending drills are there on Football Coach Hub?

There are 206 football defending drills in the library, each with a setup, coaching points, common mistakes, a progression and a regression so you can run it with mixed abilities.

What equipment do I need for defending drills?

Most drills need only a ball per player, cones and bibs. You can filter the drill library by the kit you actually have, including mini goals, full goals, poles, ladders and rebound boards.

How long should a defending practice last?

Ten to fifteen minutes on one technical practice is usually enough before players need a change of picture. Follow it with the same theme inside a small-sided game.

Go deeper on this theme

1v1 football drills

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