Week 2 · U10
Defending basics
Objectives — what the players will do
- 1Close down fast, then slow down and stay on their feet
- 2Defend sideways-on and steer the attacker one way
- 3Stay between the attacker and the goal — and sprint back when beaten
Play 1 — starts when the second player arrives
Mirror Me
Pairs as players arrive, facing each other a yard apart: one player moves side to side, forward and back with a ball; the partner mirrors them without one, staying low and on their toes. Swap every minute. Sneaky defensive footwork practice disguised as a game. About 10-15 minutes.
Practice — the one taught activity of the night
1v1 Channel Defending
Channels about 15 yards long with a small cone goal at each end corner. Attacker starts with the ball and tries to reach EITHER goal; the defender closes down fast, slows into a sideways stance, and steers the attacker toward one side only. No diving in — patience wins. Rotate roles every rep. Progress to 2v2 in a wider channel where one presses and one covers behind. Roughly 25-30 minutes.
Attacker walks and the channel gets wider — the defender just practices the approach and stance.
Narrow the channel, let the attacker start at speed, or go 2v2 and demand the pair talk to each other.
Play 2 — always finish playing the real game
4v4 — Interception Points
Normal game, but every interception or clean tackle is worth a point alongside goals. Announce defensive points as loudly as goals and watch effort off the ball transform. Last 20-25 minutes.
Key coaching points — in your own words
- ·Can you get there fast, then slow down just before you arrive?
- ·Which way are you sending the attacker — did you choose, or did they?
- ·Can you stay on your feet and let the attacker make the mistake?
- ·You got beaten — how fast can you chase back? That is what real defenders do.
Smaller spaces and faster attackers, or defend outnumbered 2v1 and learn to delay.
Walking attackers and wide channels until the sideways stance becomes a habit.
Game-day focus — watch for this on Saturday
Our two defenders STEP UP with the play — no camping on the goal line when the ball is at the other end. Watch the body shape when an opponent dribbles at us: fast, then slow, then sideways.
Message to forward to your parents
This week was defending — body position and patience, not sliding tackles. A driveway 1v1 where the defender just tries to stay between the ball and the "goal" is perfect home practice.
This week's two videos
Prep the night before; copy the activity on the field.
Defending The Line | Football Coaching Session | England Football Learning
Watch the night before to understand the idea
A full FA session on defending a line: approach, angle, and stopping the attacker getting past you — the heart of SEAL at 7v7. Watch before Week 1 and run the core practice as your Week 1–2 Practice phase. The coaching language transfers straight into build-out-line games.
Watch on YouTube2v2 Attack Versus Defence Football Coaching Session | England Football Learning
A drill you can copy on the field
This 2v2 attack-versus-defence session puts individual duels inside decisions about when to press and when to delay. Use it for Weeks 3–4 as duels become contests, and copy how the read-and-react moments are framed — pure See it, Solve it, Show it.
Watch on YouTube