HomeBy AgeU12–U13 Defending Drills
10 drills

U12–U13 Defending Drills

Defending drills for U12–U13 players, with diagrams and coaching points.

U11–U14

Press-Cover-Shadow

Press-cover-shadow is the three-player defensive combination that unde…

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U13–adult

Zonal Midfield Defence

Zonal defending in midfield — each midfielder covering a zone rather t…

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U11–U12

Wide Channel 1v1 Defending

Wide channel 1v1 defending is the most game-realistic defensive scenar…

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U12–adult

Defensive Recovery Shape

When a team loses possession high up the pitch, the transition from at…

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U11–U14

Wide Channel 1v1 Defending

Wide channel 1v1 defending is the most game-realistic defensive scenar…

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U12–U13

Recovery Run Defending

The recovery run — a midfielder or forward who has been caught out of …

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U13–U14

Defensive Transition — Counter-Press

The 3–5 seconds immediately after losing possession are the highest-va…

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U13–adult

Counter-Press Trigger

The 3-5 seconds after losing possession are the highest-value defensiv…

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U12–U15

Compact Mid-Block

The mid-block sits compact between halfway and the penalty area, force…

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U12–U13

Small Group Pressing — 3-Player Unit

Pressing in isolation (one player chasing) is tiring and ineffective…

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