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 203 football defending drills

Every drill below has its own page with the full setup, coaching points, progressions and a pitch diagram.

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: Two-Touch Limit — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 6 to Adults
1v1 Channel Duels: Weak Foot Only — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 6 to Adults
1v1 Channel Duels: Tempo Clock — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 6 to Adults
1v1 Channel Duels: Scan and Cue — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 6 to Adults
1v1 Channel Duels: Shadow Pressure — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 8 to Adults
1v1 Channel Duels: Score Challenge — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 6 to Adults
1v1 Channel Duels: 1-to-1 Session — dribbling drill, 15 min, Under 6 to Adults
Shield And Escape: Two-Touch Limit — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Shield And Escape: Weak Foot Only — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Shield And Escape: Tempo Clock — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Shield And Escape: Scan and Cue — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Shield And Escape: Shadow Pressure — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Shield And Escape: Score Challenge — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Shield And Escape: 1-to-1 Session — dribbling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Attack v Defend The Box: Two-Touch Limit — crossing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Attack v Defend The Box: Weak Foot Only — crossing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Attack v Defend The Box: Tempo Clock — crossing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Attack v Defend The Box: Scan and Cue — crossing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Attack v Defend The Box: Shadow Pressure — crossing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Attack v Defend The Box: Score Challenge — crossing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Attack v Defend The Box: 1-to-1 Session — crossing drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Heading Technique Pairs: Two-Touch Limit — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Heading Technique Pairs: Weak Foot Only — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Heading Technique Pairs: Tempo Clock — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Heading Technique Pairs: Scan and Cue — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Heading Technique Pairs: Shadow Pressure — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Heading Technique Pairs: Score Challenge — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Heading Technique Pairs: 1-to-1 Session — heading drill, 10 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defensive Heading Clearance: Two-Touch Limit — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defensive Heading Clearance: Weak Foot Only — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defensive Heading Clearance: Tempo Clock — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defensive Heading Clearance: Scan and Cue — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defensive Heading Clearance: Shadow Pressure — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defensive Heading Clearance: Score Challenge — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defensive Heading Clearance: 1-to-1 Session — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Aerial Duel Practice: Two-Touch Limit — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Aerial Duel Practice: Weak Foot Only — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Aerial Duel Practice: Tempo Clock — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Aerial Duel Practice: Scan and Cue — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Aerial Duel Practice: Shadow Pressure — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Aerial Duel Practice: Score Challenge — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
Aerial Duel Practice: 1-to-1 Session — heading drill, 12 min, Under 12 to Adults
1v1 Defending Duels: Switch To Score — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
1v1 Defending Duels: Five Second Counter-Press — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
1v1 Defending Duels: Target Zone Bonus — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
1v1 Defending Duels: Overload Rotation — defending drill, 15 min, Under 7 to Adults
1v1 Defending Duels: Restart Realism — defending drill, 15 min, Under 9 to Adults
1v1 Defending Duels: Two-Goal Decision — defending drill, 15 min, Under 7 to Adults
1v1 Defending Duels: Limited Touch Build-Up — defending drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Back Four Shifting Unit: Switch To Score — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Back Four Shifting Unit: Five Second Counter-Press — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Back Four Shifting Unit: Target Zone Bonus — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Back Four Shifting Unit: Overload Rotation — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Back Four Shifting Unit: Restart Realism — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Back Four Shifting Unit: Two-Goal Decision — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Back Four Shifting Unit: Limited Touch Build-Up — defending drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
2v2 Recovery Defending: Switch To Score — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
2v2 Recovery Defending: Five Second Counter-Press — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
2v2 Recovery Defending: Target Zone Bonus — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
2v2 Recovery Defending: Overload Rotation — defending drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
2v2 Recovery Defending: Restart Realism — defending drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
2v2 Recovery Defending: Two-Goal Decision — defending drill, 16 min, Under 9 to Adults
2v2 Recovery Defending: Limited Touch Build-Up — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Defending A Low Block: Switch To Score — defending drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defending A Low Block: Five Second Counter-Press — defending drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defending A Low Block: Target Zone Bonus — defending drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defending A Low Block: Overload Rotation — defending drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defending A Low Block: Restart Realism — defending drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defending A Low Block: Two-Goal Decision — defending drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Defending A Low Block: Limited Touch Build-Up — defending drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Cover And Balance Triangle: Switch To Score — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Cover And Balance Triangle: Five Second Counter-Press — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Cover And Balance Triangle: Target Zone Bonus — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Cover And Balance Triangle: Overload Rotation — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Cover And Balance Triangle: Restart Realism — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Cover And Balance Triangle: Two-Goal Decision — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Cover And Balance Triangle: Limited Touch Build-Up — defending drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Front Block Tackling: Switch To Score — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 10 to Adults
Front Block Tackling: Five Second Counter-Press — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 10 to Adults
Front Block Tackling: Target Zone Bonus — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 10 to Adults
Front Block Tackling: Overload Rotation — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Front Block Tackling: Restart Realism — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
Front Block Tackling: Two-Goal Decision — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 8 to Adults
Front Block Tackling: Limited Touch Build-Up — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 10 to Adults
Side-On Tackling Channel: Switch To Score — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 10 to Adults
Side-On Tackling Channel: Five Second Counter-Press — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 10 to Adults
Side-On Tackling Channel: Target Zone Bonus — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 10 to Adults
Side-On Tackling Channel: Overload Rotation — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Side-On Tackling Channel: Restart Realism — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Side-On Tackling Channel: Two-Goal Decision — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 9 to Adults
Side-On Tackling Channel: Limited Touch Build-Up — tackling drill, 14 min, Under 10 to Adults
Poke Tackle Pressing: Switch To Score — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 10 to Adults
Poke Tackle Pressing: Five Second Counter-Press — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 10 to Adults
Poke Tackle Pressing: Target Zone Bonus — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 10 to Adults
Poke Tackle Pressing: Overload Rotation — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
Poke Tackle Pressing: Restart Realism — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
Poke Tackle Pressing: Two-Goal Decision — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 9 to Adults
Poke Tackle Pressing: Limited Touch Build-Up — tackling drill, 12 min, Under 10 to Adults
Defend The Gate: Switch To Score — tackling drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Defend The Gate: Five Second Counter-Press — tackling drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Defend The Gate: Target Zone Bonus — tackling drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Defend The Gate: Overload Rotation — tackling drill, 15 min, Under 8 to Adults
Defend The Gate: Restart Realism — tackling drill, 15 min, Under 9 to Adults
Defend The Gate: Two-Goal Decision — tackling drill, 15 min, Under 8 to Adults
Defend The Gate: Limited Touch Build-Up — tackling drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Pressing Trigger Practice: Switch To Score — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Pressing Trigger Practice: Five Second Counter-Press — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Pressing Trigger Practice: Target Zone Bonus — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Pressing Trigger Practice: Overload Rotation — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Pressing Trigger Practice: Restart Realism — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Pressing Trigger Practice: Two-Goal Decision — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Pressing Trigger Practice: Limited Touch Build-Up — pressing drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Mid Block Pressing Shape: Switch To Score — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Mid Block Pressing Shape: Five Second Counter-Press — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Mid Block Pressing Shape: Target Zone Bonus — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Mid Block Pressing Shape: Overload Rotation — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Mid Block Pressing Shape: Restart Realism — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Mid Block Pressing Shape: Two-Goal Decision — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Mid Block Pressing Shape: Limited Touch Build-Up — pressing drill, 20 min, Under 12 to Adults
Press And Cover Waves: Switch To Score — pressing drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Press And Cover Waves: Five Second Counter-Press — pressing drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Press And Cover Waves: Target Zone Bonus — pressing drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Press And Cover Waves: Overload Rotation — pressing drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Press And Cover Waves: Restart Realism — pressing drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Press And Cover Waves: Two-Goal Decision — pressing drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Press And Cover Waves: Limited Touch Build-Up — pressing drill, 16 min, Under 10 to Adults
Turnover To Two Goals: Switch To Score — transition drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Turnover To Two Goals: Five Second Counter-Press — transition drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Turnover To Two Goals: Target Zone Bonus — transition drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Turnover To Two Goals: Overload Rotation — transition drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Turnover To Two Goals: Restart Realism — transition drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Turnover To Two Goals: Two-Goal Decision — transition drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Turnover To Two Goals: Limited Touch Build-Up — transition drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Rest Defence Organisation: Switch To Score — transition drill, 20 min, Under 13 to Adults
Rest Defence Organisation: Five Second Counter-Press — transition drill, 20 min, Under 13 to Adults
Rest Defence Organisation: Target Zone Bonus — transition drill, 20 min, Under 13 to Adults
Rest Defence Organisation: Overload Rotation — transition drill, 20 min, Under 13 to Adults
Rest Defence Organisation: Restart Realism — transition drill, 20 min, Under 13 to Adults
Rest Defence Organisation: Two-Goal Decision — transition drill, 20 min, Under 13 to Adults
Rest Defence Organisation: Limited Touch Build-Up — transition drill, 20 min, Under 13 to Adults
Compact Defensive Shape: Switch To Score — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Compact Defensive Shape: Five Second Counter-Press — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Compact Defensive Shape: Target Zone Bonus — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Compact Defensive Shape: Overload Rotation — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Compact Defensive Shape: Restart Realism — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Compact Defensive Shape: Two-Goal Decision — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Compact Defensive Shape: Limited Touch Build-Up — team shape drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Defending Corners Organisation: Switch To Score — set pieces drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Defending Corners Organisation: Five Second Counter-Press — set pieces drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Defending Corners Organisation: Target Zone Bonus — set pieces drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Defending Corners Organisation: Overload Rotation — set pieces drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Defending Corners Organisation: Restart Realism — set pieces drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Defending Corners Organisation: Two-Goal Decision — set pieces drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
Defending Corners Organisation: Limited Touch Build-Up — set pieces drill, 18 min, Under 11 to Adults
4v4 To Mini Goals: Switch To Score — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
4v4 To Mini Goals: Five Second Counter-Press — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
4v4 To Mini Goals: Target Zone Bonus — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
4v4 To Mini Goals: Overload Rotation — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 6 to Adults
4v4 To Mini Goals: Restart Realism — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 9 to Adults
4v4 To Mini Goals: Two-Goal Decision — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 6 to Adults
4v4 To Mini Goals: Limited Touch Build-Up — small-sided games drill, 18 min, Under 10 to Adults
Shuttle Turns: Progressive Tempo — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Shuttle Turns: Ball For Every Player — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Shuttle Turns: Reaction Start — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Shuttle Turns: Partner Race — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Shuttle Turns: Mobility Focus — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Shuttle Turns: Change Of Direction — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Shuttle Turns: Team Target — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Agility Diamond: Progressive Tempo — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Agility Diamond: Ball For Every Player — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Agility Diamond: Reaction Start — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Agility Diamond: Partner Race — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Agility Diamond: Mobility Focus — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Agility Diamond: Change Of Direction — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Agility Diamond: Team Target — speed & agility drill, 12 min, Under 5 to Adults
Breakaway Situations: Set Position Check — goalkeeping drill, 15 min, Under 9 to Adults
Breakaway Situations: Blind Serve — goalkeeping drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Breakaway Situations: Distribution Exit — goalkeeping drill, 15 min, Under 9 to Adults
Breakaway Situations: Handling Volume — goalkeeping drill, 15 min, Under 9 to Adults
Breakaway Situations: 1v1 Situation — goalkeeping drill, 15 min, Under 9 to Adults
Breakaway Situations: Cross Claiming — goalkeeping drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults
Breakaway Situations: Fatigue Finish — goalkeeping drill, 15 min, Under 10 to Adults

Drills by age group

Defending drill questions coaches ask

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

There are 203 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.