Defensive drills for U11-U12

Defend a 2v2 as a partnership. Press the ball and show it one way, cover behind at the right angle and distance, rotate the roles on the switch, and step in to win the forced pass.

Slide, and judge the line. Move together with the ball, and read the moment to step and hold against the striker or the through ball, or to drop.

Defenders: run the recovery line, into the space the attacker is heading, not at their heels. Get goal-side, jockey side-on to delay, then close the distance and block the shot with a committed body.

Deny the turn in the tight space. Be touch-tight the instant it arrives, stay goalside, and force him back before he can spin.

React fast and clear it off the line. Anticipate the close, fast shot, explode to the line, and hook it clear before it crosses.

Block it in a heartbeat. Instant closedown in the tight space, get big and charge the cross down before it is delivered, then clear.

Groove the clearing header. Step to attack the floated ball, meet it cleanly and head it high, far and wide upfield away from goal.

Attack the corner and head it clear. Get to the ball first, meet it at the top of the jump and head it high, far and wide upfield away from goal.

Delay, do not dive in. Stay central and patient, deny the through ball, and force the attackers square and backward to buy time.

Read which lane, then step in. Watch the passer's body, judge the pass, and step across to intercept the right one.

Recover and block. Sprint back to get goal-side of the ball, get set, and throw yourself in to block the shot as he pulls the trigger.

Win the ball with a clean slide tackle. Recover to get level, time the slide as the attacker exposes the ball, win it with the leading foot, and get up quickly to clear or play.

Win the aerial duel and clear it. Attack the ball first, hold off the attacker, and head it high, far and wide upfield.

Defend a long throw into the box. Attack the ball, be first to the contact, and head it clear high and wide before the attackers can flick it on.

Defend the cutback. Recover to the danger zone as the ball reaches the byline, read the pull-back, and get across the line of the cutback in front of the striker to intercept, block, or clear.

Read it, pick the danger, and clear. Scan both runners, judge which the ball is for, track him goalside, and head it clear.

Delay and contain a 2v1. Slow the carrier without committing, protect the most dangerous space, and jockey across to force the attack backward or wide rather than through.

Clear the corner decisively and counter. Attack the ball rather than waiting for it, clear it high and away from goal, win the second ball, and exploit the space behind the committed attackers with a fast break.