Soccer drill to keep defenders alert

Defenders have to remain alert at all times so they know where the ball is and can move to defend against an attack. Working on concentration is a vital part of your soccer coaching sessions - you must include it in your schedule.

This defending circuit demands concentration, quick reactions and multiple game-related defending skills for players to come out on top.

Set up defending skills drill

Make a 50 yards by 30 yards playing area.
Use four cones, one ball and one goal with a goalkeeper.

soccer defending drill to work on defenders' reactions

Run the defending circuit drill

Create four stations - A, B, C and D.
Station A is where the defending players start from.
To begin, the server at station B throws a ball for the defender to make a headed clearance.
Immediately, player D dribbles forward and crosses for player B who has also advanced. The defender must recover and attempt to stop him from scoring.
Once this ball has been crossed, player C dribbles forward into the penalty area and attempts to score. Now the defender must react and defend a 1v1.

What to call out in the soccer coaching drill

"Height and distance on the clearance."
"React to defend the cross."
"Pressure to defend the 1v1."

Click here to order a copy of Perfect Defending, which has 67 easy-to-coach soccer drills for marking, tackling and blocking.

Click here for competitive team games to make defending fun.

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