Defending drill · 16.5 seconds
Centre-Back Defending
A centre-back defending drill, worked one defender at a time from a queue, with two jobs in every rep. It is played in the penalty box with a goal and a keeper. Two cones set a gate on the right-hand side of the box, a feeder stands a little deeper on the right with a supply of balls, an attacker waits on the left-hand side of the box, and the queue of defenders waits out to the right. The feeder throws the first ball in between the two cones and the defender attacks it and heads it clear, high and wide of the goal. The moment he lands, the feeder plays a second ball to the attacker on the left, so the defender has to turn and sprint across the box, close the attacker down and block the shot before it goes in. Then he joins the back of the queue and the next defender goes. Rotate the attacker and the feeder so everyone gets a turn at everything. Six or more players, a goal, two cones for the gate and plenty of balls, 10 to 15 minutes.
Instructions
- One defender at a time stands in the gate between the two cones on the right of the box. The feeder throws the first ball in to him
- Attack the ball, win the header and clear it high and wide, away from goal
- As he lands, the feeder plays a second ball to the attacker on the left. Sprint across the box to get there
- Close the attacker down under control, stay goalside, make yourself big and block the shot. Then round the back of the queue and the next defender goes
- Jump early and head through the middle of the ball, high and wide
- Land balanced and already looking across for the next danger
- Open your body as you sprint across and stay goalside of the ball
- Do not dive in. Get your body between the attacker and the goal, front foot to the ball
Variation
- Drive the first serve in instead of throwing it, so the defender has to read the flight. Give the attacker a touch before shooting, then one touch, to make the recovery harder. Add a second attacker so the recovery becomes a 1v2 and the defender has to delay. Put a keeper in and play the second phase fully live.
Building lineups in seconds
Set your team sheet, plan your substitutions, and share it with the parents before you leave the car park.
