3 Soccer Drills to Become a Better Defender

Defending well on the soccer field directly correlates to having a strong mental game. Every small decision made during the match will dictate the end result with defenders being responsible for setting the pace and forcing plays. With IMG Academy’s How-To Become a Better Defender drills video, hear directly from an IMG coach, and learn how to prepare yourself both mentally and physically to protect the ball and close down on the opponent. 

In this video, you will be introduced to three important principles to become a better defender. Watch how student-athletes perform each drill with instruction on pace, body position and weight, plus the mentality to play aggressive, but smart. The focus is on three specific drills: 

• Pressing Cues
• Closing Speed
• Defensive Positioning

The key to defending is to slow the attacker down and make plays less predictable. It’s not always about winning the ball. Keep your body under control and focus on your positioning - when to accelerate or decelerate, and properly manage your body weight in relation to the ball. You also want to focus on reading the pass, trying to win the ball with your upper body, and welcoming the individual battles that occur throughout the game. 

Ready to take control and change the course of the game? Press play below to get started!

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IMG Academy soccer has created a library of soccer training drills that you can refer back to any time! Check out our other News stories as well as our YouTube channel (@imgacademy) for all of our How-To content.