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Session · U9–U14 · 60 min

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📋 Session Plan

Defending sessions.

Sessions that build defensive shape, body position, tackling, intercepting, recovery defending, and team pressing.

Reviewed by James Whitlock, FA Level 2 coach · Last updated 20 September 2026

Sessions16Formats5v5, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11FocusQuality, decision-making, and enjoyment

⏱Session timeline

Adult Defending Shape — 75 Minutes

U16–adult · 75 min — A 75-minute session building defensive organisation for adult squads: back-four structure, high press triggers,…

Adult Defensive Blocks — Mid and Low

U16–adult · 60 min — A 60-minute session for adult squads learning to defend in mid-block and low-block structures. When to press, when…

Adult Tactical Shape — In Possession and Out

U16–adult · 90 min — A 90-minute session establishing the squad's tactical shape both in and out of possession. The session to run early…

U10 Defending — 1v1 in Channels

U10–U11 · 60 min — Week 2 of the defending block. Now the defender works in a channel — forcing the attacker one way, denying the easy…

U10 Defending — Tackling and Intercepting

U10–U11 · 60 min — Week 3. With body shape and patience built, NOW defenders learn to win the ball — block tackle, slide tackle…

5v5 Defending Session

U10–U12 · 45 min — A 45-minute defending session for U10–U11 squads. 1v1 defending, pressing triggers, and recovery runs.

U11 Defending Fundamentals

U11–U12 · 60 min — A 60-minute session building body shape, channelling, and recovery defending — the three habits every grassroots…

U11 Defending — Match Integration

U11–U12 · 60 min — Final week of the defending block. All the habits from weeks 1-5 — body shape, patience, tackling, intercepting,…

U11 Defending — Recovery Runs and 2v1

U11–U12 · 60 min — Week 4. The hardest defensive moment in U11 football: you're outnumbered, an attacker has broken through, and you're…

9v9 Defending Session

U12–U14 · 60 min — A 60-minute defending session for U12–U13 squads. Mid-block compactness, 1v1 defending, and recovery runs.

U12 — Combination Play and Defensive Shape

U12–U13 · 60 min — A 60-minute session for U12 squads building on the 9v9 introduction — third-man combinations at higher intensity,…

U14 Box Defending

U14–U15 · 90 min — 90-minute defensive third specialist session. Centre-back partnership, defending crosses, defending corners. The…

U16 Defensive Organisation — Press, Shape, Counter

U16–U17 · 75 min — A 75-minute session building defensive structure for U16 squads: high press with defined triggers, back-four…

5v5 Defending Basics

U8–U10 · 30 min — A 30-minute introduction to defending for U8–U9 squads. Shadow defending, goal-side awareness, and the basics.

5v5 Defending Basics

U8–U9 · 45 min — A 45-minute session introducing defending without tackling for U8–U9 squads. Body shape, patience, goal-side positioning.

U9 Defending Without Tackling

U9–U10 · 60 min — The first proper defending session. No tackling allowed all session — defenders only delay, channel, and pressure.…

▦Session blocks

5v5 defending sessions

3 sessions

7v7 defending sessions

8 sessions

9v9 defending sessions

6 sessions

11v11 defending sessions

6 sessions

?FAQ

What is Defending sessions.?
Sessions that build defensive shape, body position, tackling, intercepting, recovery defending, and team pressing.

Is this free to use on SimpleDrills?
Yes — all coaching content on SimpleDrills, including this page, is free to view, print, and use with your team.

Recommended kit

Disc Cones (50-pack)

Top pick

Define defensive zones and trigger points precisely.

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Training Bibs (10-pack)

Distinguish attacker and defender groups at a glance.

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Training Footballs (4-pack)

Keep intensity up without stopping for balls.

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