Ages 13–18

Defending Drills

Jockeying, steering, recovering and holding a shape, for one player or a back line. 10 drills from Spatrian’s programme, each with its set-up, its steps and what to watch for. Put any of them in a session with the practice plan builder.

Defensive Shape Drill

Practice maintaining defensive line and shifting as a unit.

4 to 8 · 20 min · 66×66 ft · Intermediate

Channel Duel — Steer to the Line

Defend a narrow channel by showing the attacker sideways instead of diving in.

2 · 12 min · 50×26 ft · Intermediate

Zonal Sliding Screen

A defending line shifts across together to shut whichever side the ball is on.

3 to 6 · 15 min · 66×66 ft · Intermediate

Recovery Run and Angle of Pursuit

Chase back from behind on a curved line so you arrive goal-side rather than alongside.

2 · 12 min · 82×50 ft · Intermediate

Steering to the Outside Gate

Defend a central goal by making the attacker take the side gate instead.

2 · 12 min · 40×33 ft · Intermediate

Jockey and Recovery Challenge

Back off under control, then turn and match them the moment they go.

2 · 12 min · 50×33 ft · Intermediate

Jockeying Shadow

Defensive shuffling with no ball at all — the shape a defender holds before the tackle.

1 (solo) · 10 min · 15×15 ft · Intermediate

Recovery Run: Turn and Track

The ball is lost up the pitch: turn on the first step, sprint back goal-side of an imaginary attacker, and settle into a defending stance.

1 (solo) · 10 min · 45×15 ft · Intermediate

Cut the Angle: Goal-Side Position

The ball moves round a fan of cones; the defender moves each time to the line between the ball and the goal, two steps off it, side-on.

1 to 2 · 10 min · 25×20 ft · Beginner

Shadow 1v1 Reactions

A defender's reactions in a box: the parent, or a timer's calls, is the attacker, and the child shifts, jockeys and pounces on the call without a ball being struck.

1 to 2 · 10 min · 12×12 ft · Intermediate

More drills

All drills Passing Drills Dribbling Drills Scanning Drills First Touch Drills Shooting Drills Speed and Agility Drills Drills for Goalkeepers Drills for Defenders Drills for Midfielders Drills for Forwards Team Soccer Drills for Practice Wall Drills Drills Without Cones Indoor Drills

Every drill, read aloud and on the record

In Spatrian the Audio Coach talks a player through these drills while they play, and each run goes on their own training record, which their coach or personal trainer can read. The beta is opening to a small first group of players, coaches and families.

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