Teaching Defense Through Small-Sided Games

The following session was presented by Chad Riley, University of Notre Dame Head Men's Soccer Coach, at the 2020 Soccer Champions Coaches’ Clinic.

Speed and Perception Warm-Up

Objective: To focus the players on reading cues, being on their toes, and anticipation.

  • Partner with one other player

  • Pass back and forth, one player stops the ball the other player closes them down

  • Another evolution is to let the ball run through your legs and the player reacts to collect the ball

  • Intermix some more juggling and passing depending on the age of the group

Teaching Defense Through Small-Sided Games

5v2 Transfer Box

Objective: 2 Defending players win the ball and transition to their attacking grid. Attacking team has unlimited touches and keeps possession until the defenders win the ball.

Defenders:

  • Read cues-be on toes

  • Get them playing at the top of the grid

  • Limit their ability to play, through, around, and over.

  • Work as a pair.

Teaching Defense Through Small-Sided Games

Houlier 2v2 to goal

Objective: To stop the 2 attacking players from scoring. Attacking player drives a long ball to their partner, runs to get onside, and creates a 2v2 to goal. Defending players work to stop the attacking players from scoring. After the play is dead attackers become the defenders and the opposite team begins their attack.

Defenders:

  • Work together

  • Read cues

  • Isolate one of the attackers

  • Force Wide

Teaching Defense Through Small-Sided Games

6v6 Half line game to goal

Objective: To work together as a back 4 to stop the opposing team from scoring. Attacking team must pass over the midfield line-cannot dribble over. 1 defender can join the attack. Defending team works together to prevent the attacking team scoring.

Defenders:

  • Communicate

  • Keep pressure on the ball

  • Interceptions

  • Block shots

Teaching Defense Through Small-Sided Games
More Defending Drills
Teaching Defense Through Small-Sided Games Defender Recovery Drill

A single defender competes against an attacker to make a recovery run towards their goal. The attacker attempts to beat them to the ball and score. The defender must stop the ball.

Read More → Teaching Defense Through Small-Sided Games Intercepting the Play Activity

The aim is for the players along the center line to stop the ball getting transferred from one side to another (cutting off the through ball). The middle team gets a point for intercepting the pass. The outer team gets a point for playing through the middle of the team. This is perfect to lead into a screening phase of play.

Read More → Teaching Defense Through Small-Sided Games Man Marking in the Middle Third

Defense: Looking to cut off the pass and force the direction of play

Offense: Looking to create space in the middle third and move the ball quickly

Read More → Teaching Defense Through Small-Sided Games Defending the Counter Attack

Scene 1 - Tighten the space looking to force into a pass (forcing offside trap)

Scene 2 - Angling the direction of play to slow the game and trap them. Looking to intercept the negative pass and advance.

Read More →