How to Defend 1v1 When Player has Back to You

Equipment Needed:

For this exercise you will need a few balls, 4 cones and a partner. 

Key Points

Key Point #1:

Be an arm's length away. This will give you a good guide on how close you should be on the attacker. Notice you are still tight on them, but now if they turn you can see it coming and you are less likely to foul. 

Don't pull their pony tail or their shirt or put your hand on their shoulder. Just have your arm out as a distance guide.

Key Point #2

Stand sideways, not straight on.

Key Point #3 

Be patient. If the attacker is going away from your goal you are doing your job. Remember that. A lot of players, including pros, get in trouble here. They get impatient, try to win it and end up fouling the attacker or get spun.

If you hold up that attacker for a few seconds what are your teammates going to do? Usually someone is going to come over and double team the attacker you are holding up. But that can only happen if you are patient. 

Key Point #4

Let them make the mistake. They have to make a play, you don't. If you are holding them up you are making a play. 

When they try to force a play and make a bad touch or have the ball a little to close between their legs then YES by all means get a foot in and win it. 

Key Point #5

Use the basic 1v1 defending key points in our "How to 1v1 Defend" Online Soccer Academy video.

Key Point #6

Run with the Attacker when they turn. Lots of times when attackers turn, defenders dive in and get beat. Yes, if you think you can win it then step in and win it but more times then not it's best to turn and run with the defender and win the ball that way as you have a few steps on them because of your angle.

Exercise Player Can Do:

Set up a small field with two cone goals and all the balls behind one goal. If you are lucky enough to have lots of cones then make sidelines, if not don't worry about it.

The goal with the balls is the defending side. The defender passes the ball to the attacker, runs out and closes them down. The attacker puts their back to the defender and freezes. The defender should be in proper 1v1 position for when an attacker has their back to them. 

Once in correct position the defender says go. The game is live and the attacker tries to score while the defender tries to win it and score or kick it out. 

Repeat this a few times, rest and then switch with your partner. 

Coaching Tip! 

If you are a coach watching this instead of having the defender say go, you can say go. Make sure you don't say go until they are in correct position. 

For example don't say go in this situation. The player is not standing sideways in proper position. Correct them, have them stand sideways like in Key Point #2 and then say go. 

What Player Could Be Doing Wrong:

Some things that could be going wrong. If you are constantly getting beat in this situation you are to tight on the attacker. Be an arm's length away. DO NOT get to close and let them spin you. Fast attackers want you close so they can spin you and beat you with their speed. They don't want you patient and in good defensive position because those aren't good odds for them. 

Bonus Tip:

Be confident. Believe every tackle you will win the ball or make a play. Don't go into a tackle with a "hope to make it" mindset. Yes, you won't win every tackle but you need to believe 100% you will. Have this mindset and you will win the ball more times then not. 

If you make a mistake, so what. Just react positive and get on with it. We all make mistakes.

This Video Covers: 

Soccer Players - Soccer Tutorial - Soccer Defense Techniques - Defensive Soccer Drills - Soccer Defense Drills - Soccer Defense - How to Defend in Soccer - Soccer Defender -  How to Coach Soccer - Soccer Coaches - How to Play Soccer - Soccer Coach - Coaching Soccer