Delay, deny and dictate
by Graham Biggs in Defending
This is a defending session. It is made up of three practices that are all designed to focus on denying opponents the opportunity to progress and penetrate with the ball. MORE
Defending – individual, unit and team
by Mick McCarthy in Defending
This session is a straight competition between defenders and attackers. It takes the principles of defending as individuals, in units and as a team, whilst also encouraging forwards and midfielders to engage, thus making it as realistic as possible for defenders. MORE
Compactness when defending overloads
by Quique Sanchez Flores in Defending
This session teaches your players how to defend as a unit and how to delay an attack, even when faced by attackers who outnumber you. It works on improving individual defensive skills and reinforces the need for speed to stop an attack. MORE
Defensive team shape
by Neil Warnock in Defending
The key with this session is to teach defenders when to mark the man and when to mark space, with the philosophy of ‘being in position when out of possession’. MORE
Defending positions
by Phil Parkinson in Defending
Use this defensive practice to teach players how to hold the line, whilst defending threats that emerge through the middle as well as from wide areas. MORE
Preparing the back four
by Owen Coyle in Defending
Use this purely defensive session to structure the back four against opposing attacks with different formations. It is an excellent session when preparing for matchday. MORE
Improving the defence
by Phil Parkinson in Defending
This session begins with simple 1v1 and 2v2 defending exercises in order to rehearse players in the basics. It then progresses through practices designed to show defenders how to deal with attacking wide players and how to prevent crosses. MORE
Defending as a back four unit
by Dave Jones in Defending
Get your back four working as a unit, whilst developing a clear understanding of defensive roles. This will create a solidity that is difficult for opposition teams to penetrate, meaning attackers can only create chances by doing something really special. MORE
Solid defending
by Mick McCarthy in Defending
Use this session to create a positive mindset to defending – it makes teams hard to beat and teaches players not to concede cheap goals. MORE
Dealing with crosses
by Kenny Jackett in Defending
Get your players dealing with crosses that are played both into and outside of the 18-yard box. Heading, clearances, blocks and communication are the key areas of focus in this session. MORE