How to Coach a Bunker Defense in Soccer

The bunker defense is considered to be an ugly but effective method of reducing the scoring chances of the opposition. It is a tactic usually employed by poorer teams against strong opposition, or when a team is a player or more down due to a sending off. Essentially, it is the idea of packing the penalty area with defenders in order to reduce the amount of space the opposition might use to attack and shoot.

Things You'll Need

  • Cones
  • Balls
  • Pinnies
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on the formation you are going to play. Some teams will bunker with a 5-3-2 formation, or the even more defensive 5-4-1 formation. Other teams will play a basic 4-4-2 and defend with two banks of four at the 18-yard line.

    • 2

      Use the All-Up, All-Back game to work on defensive transition. This game involved a field that is divided in half. The condition of the game is that whichever half the ball is in, all players from both teams must be in that half of the field. This will help develop the bunker mentality, as well as fine tuning the idea of fast transition of recovery form attack to defense.

    • 3

      Play a game of attack versus defense on half the field. This game can be conditioned such that whenever a defender wins the ball, they must play the ball to an attacker, bringing the defense under constant pressure. This will help to develop the calm, concentration and discipline necessary to operate a bunker defense.

    • 4

      Play a conditioned game of 11v11 where the defending team play entirely in their own 18 yard box. This again will show players that they must remain disciplined and calm when defending with a bunker mentality. Alternatively, play 11 attackers versus 7 defenders. The outnumbered defense will be under constant pressure and will have limited chances to counterattack.

    • 5

      Finally, scrimmage 11v11 with the condition of one team being a bunker team and one team playing free. Play for 15-20 minutes, and then switch roles. The bunker team should play entirely in their own half, with the defensive line beginning at the 18 yard line to the halway line. Coach for pressure, cover, balance and consolidation, ensuring that the defending team knows how to condense the spaces between the lines and between players to make it more difficult for the attackers to play through.