Soccer drill to get attackers defending up front

If your attackers defend as soon as they have lost the ball, they can force defenders into mistakes. Use the following soccer coaching tips and drills to show your players how.

A pair of attackers can make an excellent pair of defenders right up in the opposition half of the pitch. They can hunt the ball down, force a mistake and end up scoring.

It's all about getting your attackers to close down the defenders and stop them having time to play the ball. Defenders don't expect it, they think that no one will come up and tackle them in their own penalty area .

Well, they're wrong.

Soccer coaching tips for attackers

Tell your attackers they should be moving into the defender in a slightly crouching position, side on. You are looking to see communication between your attackers - so one would shout to the other: "Force them back down the line!" or a more direct: "Get closer!"

In this way they are forcing them to play quickly away from the direction they were going and ultimately to make a mistake.

Set up the soccer drill like this:

Play for this soccer drill begins in an area approx 30 x 15 metres, where two attackers play against three defenders.
The defenders start with the ball and they have to pass or dribble the ball beyond the line behind the attackers.
The two attackers try to win the ball back.
The drill restarts if the ball goes out the sides of the playing area.
Once the attackers win the ball, they can break out behind the defenders to score. The defenders should continue to try to stop them.
You can award points in the soccer drill for attackers scoring goals or for defenders getting past the attackers.

soccer coaching drill to get attackers defending

For more defending coaching tips and drills, order a copy of Perfect Defending by Michael Beale, Chelsea FC academy coach.

Soccer coaching tips

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