Nike Academy - Defending Drills

Heading Game

Heading’s a key skill for any solid centre-back. Perfect yours with this drill from Jimmy Gilligan.

EQUIPMENT:

12 cones
1 portable goal
1 ball

SUMMARY:

I. The space between the box and the side line is perfect for this drill. Use the cones to mark out 3 areas of equal size (roughly 10 yards x 12 yards, depending on your pitch measurements).

II. Create 2 squares in the corners of area 3 and place the portable goal. You can vary the size of the squares depending on your players’ ability.

III. Divide your group into 2 teams: defenders and attackers. Your 4 defenders play in area 1. Area 2 is a no-man’s land that players cannot enter. Your 6 attackers play in area 3.

IV. The defenders can only pass with their heads. Their aim is to hit the ball into the portable goal (1 point) or one of the squares in zone 3 (2 points).

V. The attackers can use any legal part of their body to pass between them and deliver the ball into zone 1. They get 1 point every time the ball hits the ground in the defenders’ zone. The attackers also have to defend the squares and the goal to deny defenders points.

VI. Each point starts with the coach serving the ball to the team who lost the last point from the sideline of zone 2. Continue for 15-20 minutes.

ACADEMY LEARNING:

Getting your defenders to play as an organised unit with both height and width in heading. Helping them judge distances by communicating constantly.

4 v 6 Defending

Defenders often have to cope with intense attacking pressure. This drill gets them up to speed to succeed in these situations.

EQUIPMENT:

1 ball

SUMMARY:

I. 4 defenders and 6 attackers get into their shape as shown.

II. From the centre circle, the coach passes the ball to one of the attackers.

III. The attackers can play the ball in any way they like to challenge the defenders, aiming to score. The defenders have to be organised and constantly on their toes to get the ball out of the area.

IV. The coach should analyse the actions of players after each attack and give them feedback. Continue for 15-20 minutes.

ACADEMY LEARNING:

Prevent danger by getting organised, communicating well and knowing your positioning in game situations.

Steal The Ball

When you lose the ball, you need to work to get it back as soon as possible. This drill trains a pair of defenders to work together to retrieve possession.

EQUIPMENT:

8 cones
1 ball

SUMMARY:

I. The area between the box and the side line is best for this drill. Use cones to mark out 2 equal-size large areas as shown. Leave a smaller area, approximately 10m x 4m, between them.

II. Divide 12 players into 3 groups: 4 attackers in each large area and 4 defenders in the small area in the middle.

III. The coach passes the ball to one of the large areas. The 4 attacking players pass it around. 2 defenders enter the area to steal the ball from the attacking players.

IV. Attackers get a point for 10 completed passes. Defenders get a point if they manage to steal the ball before the opponents complete 10 passes.

V. Each ball is played until the defenders get the ball. The coach then passes into the other area where another pair of defenders aim to steal the ball. Continue for 15-20 minutes.

ACADEMY LEARNING:

Working in pairs, using communication and tactics to get the ball back.