Defending - 1 | Youth Soccer Drills & Skills

CUSTOM OUTDOOR TRAINING SESSION

YOUTH SOCCER

DEFENDING 1

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1v1 Soccer videos are not designed to teach proper technique.

Instead, take advantage of the resources linked at the end of this post.  These resources are the best of what is out there.  These resources contain professional trainers and skilled players correctly demonstrating (often in slow-motion) the techniques you want to learn.

The purpose of 1v1 Soccer is to show parents how to modify effective soccer instructional resources for home use.  By applying these resources in the myriad of different ways demonstrated on this site, you can help your child win the 1v1 soccer battle.

 

An Angled Approach means that you always approach an offensive player with the ball at their foot at an angle. 

At the youngest ages of youth soccer (U5-U8) this is all you need to remember.  It’s that simple. 

At U10+ you should add an additional component of purposefully taking an Angled Approach which pushes the offensive player with the ball towards the sideline (away from your goal).

At U12+ if the player with the ball is moving through or towards the middle of the field then you should take an Angled Approach which pushes them in a direction which forces them to move the ball to their weak foot. 

But don’t get lost in the details – at least not at first.  The main thing to remember, the technique which will make you hugely effective in getting the ball back, is taking an Angled Approach – period.  If another player has the ball, move towards them at an angle.  Never allow them to square up and come right at you. 

Pressure Defending involves proper defensive positioning when an opponent with the ball has turned their back to you and/or they are shielding the ball.  Proper technique involves getting low, putting your body and forearm on their back, and pushing them off the ball.  Don’t push too hard or put your hands on the player, however, or you will be called for a foul. 

Your head should be ball side while your feet are on the opposite side of your opponent.  This positioning allows you to both see the ball and prevent them from spinning around you.  If your opponent attempts to turn or spin around you by moving the ball from one foot to their other then you must change your head and feet positioning as well.

The pressure alone may cause them to panic and lose the ball.  If they retain possession despite your pressure, stay calm and don’t allow them to spin around you.  If they eventually do attempt to spin around you this is the time to make a Body Tackle and use your body to separate them from the ball.    

 
NOTE:  Unfortunately, I am not aware of instructional videos which teach these techniques.  The videos in this section will highlight Avery using these techniques in games. 

 

Defending

Angled Approach

Pressure Defending

 

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