defensive recovery / tracking back Seniors soccer drills

defensive recovery / tracking back Seniors drills that you can apply to help your players progress on the defensive recovery / tracking back aspect. Sign up to receive our latest drills.

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Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery

This highly dynamic drill starts with a goalkeeper's distribution followed by a series of 1v2 duels with a defender in pursuit, potentially evolving into a 3v3.

Animation: Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery
Mark out a zone of about 30x40m then place 2 large goals on each width. Next, set up 4 mini-goals in the center of the field as well as 2 cones at the same level (see animation). Finally, place a cone near each large goal. Form 2 teams of 6 players and ask them to position themselves at each cone.

The exercise will proceed as follows:
  1. Everything starts with a goalkeeper's distribution to the first player (A) who will control it and then lay it off to the goalkeeper. 
  2. The latter will then switch sides by finding the second player (B) on the opposite side. 
  3. B performs a directional control then dribbles within the first half of the field. 
  4. Player A then positions as a defender, resulting in a 1v1 on the large goal against the opposing attacker. 
  5. The third player (C) starts as soon as B has made their control and will act as a chasing defender. This results in a 1v2. 

Variation: as soon as the 2v1 duels are over, you can continue with a 3v3 on the 2 large goals. Remember to limit the opposition in time (we recommend 1 minute to 1 minute 30) to maintain a high intensity.

Variation with a progression in 3v3
Variation with a progression in 3v3

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Defensive recovery / Tracking back

Discover our defensive recovery / tracking back Seniors drills

Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

Possession game with quick transitions upon losing the ball

20 min
12-24 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
Working on ball possession under pressure with immediate reaction to losing possession to strengthen defensive transition and coordinated pressing....
Possession game in 2 zones with role change

Possession game in 2 zones with role change

15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
Possession and switch of play drill in a three-zone format with role rotation between attackers and defenders....
Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games

Defensive transitions after loss in rondo games

12 min
14-20 joueurs
Warm-up
Seniors
Immediate reaction work upon losing possession through successive rondo sequences. Ideal as a warm-up for a session focused on counter-pressing....
Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play

Build-up play from the goalkeeper and alternating between short passing game and direct play

15 min
11-15 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Exercise focused on goalkeeper work and how players move when their goalkeeper has the ball in hand. The goalkeeper's decision-making is essential to determine whether it is preferable to play short or direct....
Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports

Defensive transition of Pep Guardiola in an 8vs7 with 4 supports

20 min
18-21 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
Used by Pep Guardiola during a training session at Manchester City, this drill will help you work on the attacking-defensive transition in the upper part of the field....
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Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2

Attacking-defensive transition of Mikel Arteta in a 4v2

15 min
10-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
Used by Mikel Arteta during a training session at Arsenal, this drill will allow your players to work on the attacking-defensive transition with a 4v2 followed by a 6v4....
Pep Guardiola's Transition Work in a 5v5 Across 3 Zones

Pep Guardiola's Transition Work in a 5v5 Across 3 Zones

20 min
12-18 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Used by Pep Guardiola during his time at Bayern Munich, this exercise is ideal for working on quick execution and exploiting spaces during the defensive-attacking transition....
Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6

Attacking transition of J. Klopp with quick attacks in 6v6

20 min
15-20 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Used by J. Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, this drill is ideal for working on the defensive-to-attacking transition, emphasizing the speed of attacks when the opposing block is disorganized....
Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3

Attacking transition of José Mourinho with quick attacks in 5v3

15 min
14-18 joueurs
Small-sided games
Seniors
Used by José Mourinho, this exercise will allow you to set up game situations where the speed of the defensive-attacking transition is crucial, in order to take advantage of a numerical advantage....
Possession Game by Claudio Ranieri on 4 Mini-Pitches

Possession Game by Claudio Ranieri on 4 Mini-Pitches

20 min
14-18 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Used by Claudio Ranieri during a training session at Leicester, this dynamic drill is perfect for getting your players to work on the defensive-to-attacking transition in the high area of the field....
Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacking-Defensive Transition with 1v1 Duels

Pep Guardiola's Quick Attacking-Defensive Transition with 1v1 Duels

12 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
This two-step drill is inspired by an exercise implemented by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. It's ideal for working on attacking and defensive transitions in the defensive third of the field....
Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1

Decision Making and Reaction Time with Shooting in 2v1

15 min
6-18 joueurs
Technical
Seniors
On the agenda for this exercise: shooting, decision-making, and reaction time. An exercise that players generally enjoy a lot....
Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery

Goalkeeper build-up into 1v2 duels with defensive recovery

15 min
8-20 joueurs
Technical
Seniors
This highly dynamic drill starts with a goalkeeper's distribution followed by a series of 1v2 duels with a defender in pursuit, potentially evolving into a 3v3....
1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1

1v1 Duels then Defensive Transition in 2v1

15 min
12-24 joueurs
Technical
Seniors
1v1 duels from different perspectives: first a 1v1, then a defensive transition to quickly move into a 2v1 on the large goal....
Tracking back in 1v1 situations with variations by Jurgen Klopp

Tracking back in 1v1 situations with variations by Jurgen Klopp

20 min
6-20 joueurs
Technical
Seniors
Used in Dortmund, this drill, which allows for numerous variations, will require your players to work on defensive recovery in an organized manner. The program includes: short passing game, duels, and shooting on small goals....
Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense

Defensive cover and tracking back in a three-man defense

14 min
9-18 joueurs
Technical
Seniors
Excellent technical drill for defenders to work on speed of movement, agility, and coordination. Conducted by Bayern Munich during a training session in 2013....
4v4 game with line touch after each goal

4v4 game with line touch after each goal

15 min
12-22 joueurs
Conditioning
Seniors
Two teams play on a small field and try to score with one condition: every time a team loses possession, they must sprint, touch their goal line, and then come back to defend. Quite intense!...
Defensive Block: Positioning in the Game and Tactical Principles

Defensive Block: Positioning in the Game and Tactical Principles

20 min
13-18 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
In a 4v4 situation within a confined space and with a defense starting with a 3-second delay, your defenders work on the tactical aspect of collective positioning in the game. The attacking players will work on compensation and defensive recovery....
Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block

Zonal marking: defensive positioning and team block

8 min
8-16 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Excellent exercise to train your players on defensive positioning and the team's zonal defense....
Technical work in 2v2, cross and shooting

Technical work in 2v2, cross and shooting

25 min
15-17 joueurs
Technical
Seniors
Through a 2v2 drill ending with a shot, your players work on ball retention and recovery as well as shooting in front of the goal....
Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team

Midfield Line: Advancing and Defending as a Team

20 min
10-16 joueurs
Tactical
Seniors
Ideal for learning to counterattack quickly and advance as a team. The defensive aspect is also present in this exercise, perfect for working your defenders!...

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