Week 2 · U8
Defending basics
Objectives — what the players will do
- 1Get between the ball and the goal
- 2Stay on your feet and slow the attacker down instead of diving in
- 3Chase back when beaten instead of giving up
Play 1 — starts when the second player arrives
Freeze the Dribbler
In pairs as players arrive: one dribbles anywhere, the partner tries to get in front and block the path — no tackling, just feet and body. Hold the block for two seconds and you swap roles.
Practice — the one taught activity of the night
1v1 Defending Channel
Set up channels about 10x15. The attacker tries to dribble across the far line; the defender's only job is to stay between the attacker and that line. No tackling at first — just footwork and body position. Teach it in three words: low, close, wall. Add the poke tackle only once the positioning looks good.
The attacker walks, and the defender simply practices sliding side to side in front of them.
The attacker goes full speed with moves; the defender must stay on their feet and may now poke the ball away.
Play 2 — always finish playing the real game
4v4 — Wall Bonus
Normal game, plus a bonus point every time a defender gets between the ball and the goal to stop a dribble or block a shot. Defense earns the cheers this week.
Key coaching points — in your own words
- ·Can you be a wall between the ball and the goal?
- ·Can you see the ball AND the player at the same time?
- ·What do you do if the attacker gets past you?
- ·Why does diving in with one big kick usually go wrong?
- ·Win your duel — can you be the wall AND come away with the ball?
Grow the channel into 2v2 so pairs learn to defend together — one presses, one helps behind.
Keep every attacker at walking pace until the defenders find their feet.
Game-day focus — watch for this on Saturday
Watch for defenders who get goal-side and stay on their feet — and praise the chase-back after being beaten louder than anything else. Everyone defends in 4v4, no standing back, and keep rotating.
Message to forward to your parents
This week is defending — body position, not tackling. At home, play 1v1 where the defender just tries to stay between the attacker and the goal. No kicking needed.
This week's two videos
Every session is Play-Practice-Play: kids play from the moment they arrive, you teach ONE thing in the middle, then they play again. Watch the prep video the night before — the activity video is that middle PRACTICE part.
2v2 Defending The Line | Football Coaching Session From Joanne Williams
Watch the night before to understand the idea
A two-minute session idea where pairs defend a line — quick to absorb, quick to set up. Grab it as a Week 3 Practice variation when you want a fresh look at delay-and-deny without teaching a new setup.
Watch on YouTubeDefending 1v1 Scenario Game ⚽️
Your PRACTICE part — the one thing you teach mid-session
The Coaching Manual's scenario game drops defenders into realistic moments where the duel decides the outcome. Use scenarios in Week 4 to test whether players defend 1v1 without you narrating it — that is the Apply standard.
Watch on YouTube