Football: Defending the Midfield

Two players line up on opposite sides of a square. The attacking player dribbles the ball towards the centre before then attempting to stop the ball between one of the goals. The goal nearest to the defender's starting point is worth 10 points as it is the hardest goal to stop the ball in. The middle goal is worth 5 and the top goal only 1 point.

Two players line up on opposite sides of the grid to each other, with a third player placed between them in goal. Player 1 dribbles the ball around the cone and then tries to score in the goal. Player 2 must also run around the far cone before then attempting to stop player 1 from scoring.

Two teams line up side by side behind their cones. When the player with the ball sets off to run around the cone the drill is live. The player with the ball must run around the cone and then try to score a goal in the defender's side goal by dribbling the ball across the line. This will score them a point. The defenders have to try and force the player to run across their own goal line or tackle them and run the ball over the line themselves. The winner is the first team to 3 goals. After this you can swap the roles around, with the attackers now defending and vice versa.

6 vs 6 game with 2 Floaters (who can play for whichever team has the ball). Set up an area the size of one half of the pitch. In each corner and in the middle, position 2 cones to make 5 mini goals. Also have 6 players stood around the outside of the area, who the ball can be passed to and from. After the first game, switch one of the teams out and have the outside 6 come in and form a team. Rotate round like this so they each play each other. Play 3 mins each of attacking, 3 times (9 mins in total each, 27 mins overall).

High Intensity drill This a 6 vs 2 invasion game. Mark out three areas in a line (each box 15m x 25m) using cones (You can adjust the area based on the level of the players and if it is too easy for the Attackers or Defenders). Start with 6 players in each of the two end areas and 4 in the middle area. The aim of this drill is for the 6 players in each end to keep possession of the ball, with those in the middle taking turns to try and win the ball. Players in the end zone have 2 touches maximum or a point goes to the Defenders. To start, a Feeder will throw the ball into one of the ends. Two Defenders will then move into the relevant end and chase down passes in an effort to win the ball back in a 6 vs 2 game. The 6 players will be passing the ball amongst themselves. Once they have completed 6 successful passes then they can pass to the opposite end. When this happens, the players left in the middle will enter that end and do the same thing. The Defenders work for 3 minutes then rotate the playing positions around.

Objective: To defend against a winger or opposite full back overlapping Detail: This practice uses 7 players (2 full backs 2 wide players 1 CB 1 Att 1 GK) Use the same area/side of the pitch as above. Serving full back serves the ball from half way line. Defensive full back starts 10 yards outside of 18 yard box. Attacking full back passes the ball to wide player. As ball travels defending full back pressurises ball. Full back can now pass to centre forward or overlapping full back. Defending centre back and wide player are added. Full Back: Having pressured wide player, if opposing full back overlaps, defensive full back tracks overlapping run. If wide player passes or dribbles inside to centre forward full back tucks in close to centre back. Wide Player: If full back overlaps, wide player to pressurise opposing wide player and force the ball down the line. Centre Back: Move within 10 yards of full back to remain compact whilst positioning ball side of centre forward.

Divide the group into teams of 4. One player in goal, two defenders and one attacker. The defenders (Alligators) adopt a crab position (belly up, hands and feet on the floor) and start in the middle of the grid. The attackers must try to dribble around the alligators and score a goal.

The object of this game is for the players in possesion of the ball to clear the ball into the area on the opposite side. The opposing players have to try and prevent the players from making the clearances. When the coach calls out freeze the team with the least amount of balls in their area are the winners.

Goalkeeper passes to player 2, who must attempt to dribble the ball past player 1 and score a goal. Player 1 assumes a sideways position and blocks the path to the goal. If the defender wins the ball, he should try to dribble over the end line. Rotate positions. Allow the player to shoot as soon as he receives the ball. The player must close down the space to the ball and get into line between the attacker and the goal as quickly as possible.

Player 1 has a ball; the other three balls are placed on discs on the end line. Player 1 passes the ball to player 3, who must advance the ball to the opposite end line without being dispossessed of it by 1 or 2. Player 1 moves in to assume the correct defending position, forcing 3 in the direction of 2 by blocking the right side of the attacker. Players 1 and 2 combine to win the ball. If the defenders win the ball, have them attempt to knock a ball off a cone. Both defenders start on the same side of the area.

Set up with 2 cones as shown with 2 players at each end and 1 ball. Player with the ball passes the ball across and then quickly closes their pass down. Once they get close they take a defensive stance and move backwards as the player on the ball dribbles forward. Once they get halfway the player defending quickly retreats and then receives the pass before changing roles.

Play 2 v 2 in the area furthest from goal and 2 v 3 in the defensive area around the goal. Make 2 small goals on the end line for the defense to play out through. The attacking team (gold) in the area furthest from the goal, combine to play the ball into the two attackers in the opposite area. The two defenders in the area furthest from the goal attempt to intercept passes as they are played through. The three defenders in the defensive area mu st pressure the ball, marking tightly when close to the ball or goal. Defenders from the area furthest from the goal may enter into the defensive area to support the three defenders and to serve as midfield players for clearances from the back. If defenders intercept the ball, they should attempt to play the ball through either of the small goals at the bottom of the diagram.

Play 3 v 3 in the middle area with goalkeepers stationed in each of the goals. Balls are placed around the field so that as soon as a ball goes out, the closest ball is played in. As soon as a player receives the ball from the goalkeeper or an outfield teammate, he should attempt a shot on goal. The defending team must attempt to pressure the ball carrier and closely mark all other attacking players.

This drill encourages players to work together in a Defensive unit and is especially relevant for midfield players. Set up 3 areas in a line: 5 x 5 yards, 20 x 5 yards and another 5 x 5 yards Opposite this, within shooting distance (about 15 yards), set up 4 goal areas in a line, marked by cones. The 2 inside goals will be used for the first game and then just the 2 outside goals will be used for the second game. Have 1 player restricted to each of the 5 x 5 areas, and 2 players in the 20 x 5 area. The goal of these players is to pass amongst themselves to score (firstly in the goals marked "1" and then in the goals marked "2"). Against them will be 4 defenders who will need to work together to shut down these shooting opportunities, starting midway between the boxes and the goals. The coach plays the ball to the Attackers, and at this time the Defenders will approach the Attackers. They cannot travel into the boxes but will use angles to try to stop a quick pass and shoot option.  

Scatter 7 cones across the area. Groups of 12 consist of 2 catchers and 10 runners. The object of the game is for the runners to run around the area to avoid being tagged by either catcher. Runners may run to safety by placing 1 foot on one of the 7 discs in the area. When a runner runs to a disc that is occupied, the player occupying the disc must move off the disc and look for another disc to occupy. If a player is tagged by a catcher, the 2 players exchange roles. You can choose to introduce a ball so that players must dribble around the area.

Diamond formation midfield in an 11 a side game. Reds vs blue. Set up in the formation: 2 strikers, diamond midfield, 4 defenders and a GK. The midfield players are attempting to channel the attackers to one side of play, to keep pushing them out towards the side and limit their options. Encourage individuals to channel the ball and contain players in certain areas and to be aware of covering other Defenders.

Red team vs Blue team. Set up a diamond midfield formation 2 strikers, 4 midfield, 4 defenders. Set up cones as shown on the diagram (3 sets of cones. 2 pairs before the top of the diamond numbered "1", one pair of cones lower down in the middle of the diamond numbered "2") Works on the Defence channelling the ball into certain areas. The 2 red team strikers try to stop the blue team from playing the ball through either of the "1" cones, so that play is encouraged into a central area (top of the diamond). Once the blue player with the ball has reached the top of the diamond, players will looks to direct him  outside  of the "2" cones and into wide areas (occupied by the 2 red wide midfielders). Red fullbacks need to recognise where the ball is going and move into an advanced wide position to put pressure on opposition's wide players. By doing this the red team are attempting to dictate how the ball moves. Play for half an hour.

Objective: To defend as a full back in a 1 v 1 situation Detail: This practice uses only 4 players (2 full backs 1 winger 1 GK). Use half a pitch down either side. Serving full back serves the ball from the half way line into the winger. Defensive full back starts 10 yards outside the 18 yard box. Serving full back passes ball into wide player, and as ball travels defending full back pressurises the ball. Close down wide player quickly cutting off the line preventing wide player getting passed into coned area. Slow down within 2-3 yards to prevent wide player getting past, but close enough to prevent building up speed. Jockey and lead with nearest foot if ball can be won.

Objective: To be able to defend in 1 v 1 situations & learn how to slow down attackers and win the ball back. Detail: Set up 20 x 40 area with cones marking out every 10. Within that area will be 4 channels of 20 x 10. Spilt group into 4 and give a channel each with a small goal at one end. Practice starts 1v1 and P1 (defender) passing into P2 (attacker) then closing down. Objective for P2 is to try and beat the defender and then score into goal. Objective for P1 to win the ball back and counter. Rotate around and rest whilst remaining players have a go. To begin the practice make sure the pass is quality & accurate. Delay & Deny Defender needs to immediately press the ball, reduce space for attacker to work in & reduce decision making time. Body shape/position - side on, low centre of gravity, front font defending, show away from danger or onto weaker side. Speed - Quick to reduce space then de accelerate on approach to give enough time to get into a good shape and position. Be patient and wait for trigger (heavy touch, head down, weaker side etc) to steal the ball.

Red defends blue. The blue player must try and beat the red defenders and reach one of the blue cones, with the ball still under control. Red player 2 role is to cover the other defender. Whenever either red player gets in possession, the other red must find space so as to create a passing option.