Defenders Increase in Numbers Soccer Drill

Number of players: ten players; split team up and have two different groups working

Age range: 10-12

Description: Start out 5 versus one and then slowly add in defenders until you end up with a game of 5 versus 5.  The offensive team earns a point if they connect a certain number of passes. It should be easy in the beginning, with just one defender, but harder and harder as the drill progresses.

Play for four or five minutes at each stage, or until the offensive team connects ten passes, slowly adding one defender, then two, then three, and then four and finally five.  Players get a sense of how they have to position themselves to receive the ball and support their teammates in this drill, especially when more defenders are added throughout the game.  Players have to pass and move, opening up and calling for the ball.

Expand the playing area if necessary, but this really depends upon your player’s skill level and ability.  Also, try having defenders start out playing passively and then slowly increase their intensity level.

Vary the play to where you’re playing unlimited, two touch and one touch, to show players how the game can shift when the ball moves at a quicker pace when playing one and two touch soccer.

Equipment needed: Cones and practice vests.

Take a look at our top 5 tips for 1v1 defending. At MyPersonalFootballCoach.com we talk a lot about attacking play and being on the ball but in modern football you must also master the movements and positions off the ball to be a top player. This video talks about pressure, body shapes and dictating where the attacker moves with the ball so take a look and bring this element into your game to make you a more complete soccer player.