Soccer Defense Skills Drill Training – Part 1

Quite a bit of emphasis is placed on offensive play. After all, who doesn’t want to make the winning goal? But in reality it is defense that wins the games. Defense isn’t as flashy and often times players aren’t as able to perform good defense as they can offense, but learning to play good defense is too important to the game to be overlooked.

There are several different drills that players can practice both with their team and by themselves in order to improve their skills and make themselves better defensive players. These defensive drills focus on two things. The person playing defense has two objectives – to defend the goal or steal the ball – or both if at all possible.

The first is the Two on One Defense Drill. During this drill the player on defense will kick the ball out to two offensive players. It is the goal of the defensive player to take the ball from the offensive. This improves the players passing and shooting skills.

In the next drill players are each defending their goals. Players work in teams of two with one ball between them. Using a chalk line, portable goal, cones or rope to represent the goal, players defend their goal while simultaneously attempt to score on their opponent. Players must remain on their side of the field which can be as large or small as the coach feels is necessary based on the age and skill level of the players. Players have unlimited touches but can’t use their hands.

Resources:

SoccerXpert: Soccer Defending Drills

http://www.soccerxpert.com/soccer-defending-drills.aspx

Athletes Acceleration: Defensive Soccer Skills

http://www.athletesacceleration.com/defensivesoccerskills.html

ProfessionalSoccerCoaching.com: Defending Soccer Drills

http://www.professionalsoccercoaching.com/defending-soccer-drills.html

Soccer Training Guide: Three Useful Drills for Improving Your Defense

http://www.soccer-training-guide.com/defensive-soccer-drills.html#.UYz3CcrHaKI

National Soccer Coaches Association of America: Soccer Drills

http://www.nscaa.com/education/resources/soccer-drills