2 Drills to Improve Defensive Tactics and Decision-making

Coach Steven Turek shows you two soccer drills to enhance defensive tactics and decision-making under pressure. Both drills are from his new book “Pressing – Games” which is now available in our store!

The first drill, “2 vs. 1 – Defending Lines, Altering Lines,” challenges a single defender to manage a numerical disadvantage by intercepting passes and utilizing strategic positioning. The second drill, “1 + 1 vs. 1 to 3 vs. 2 – Recovering Lines,” shifts focus to recovering from a shot on goal and immediately handling a subsequent 3 against 2 scenario. Both drills emphasize the importance of spatial awareness, quick response to ball movements, and tactical positioning to prevent scoring opportunities and initiate counter-attacks.

2 vs. 1 – Defending Lines, Altering Lines

Organisation & Procedure
This game format starts with a diagonal lofted pass across the entire field. A red player is centrally positioned on the offside line, defending the resulting 2 against 1 situation. To avoid being offside, the player delivering the lofted pass must first cross the halfway line. If the red player regains possession, he can counter-attack towards the mini-goals.

Coaching Points & Tips

• In every 2 against 1 game format, including this one, the defender’s objective is to create numerical equality from a numerical disadvantage and to cleverly use the goalkeeper to nearly eliminate the chance of the opposing team scoring.
• He achieves this primarily by preventing diagonal passes to the other attacker and, if necessary, allowing a shot from a narrow angle.
• Another option for him is to defend in a way that puts him directly under pressure from the diagonal pass.
• This depends on the chosen distances in the game format.

1 + 1 vs. 1 to 3 vs. 2 – Recovering Lines

Organisation & Procedure
All players are positioned according to the diagram. The action begins with a pass from the green player to his teammate, who attempts to score under defensive pressure. After the shot on goal, a 3 against 2 situation starts with two red players starting from the baseline and another green player.

Coaching Points & Tips

• In this game format, distances are crucial.
• The upper red player, who needs to regain possession, should have the opportunity to reach his opponent.
• Depending on the chosen distance, it may also be sensible for him to prepare for a potential counter-attack.
• Preventing this counter-attack is the task of the first green player.