How to Teach 1v1 Defending: Stop “Diving In” with 3 Fun Drills for U8-U14

The #1 rule of defending is simple: Don’t Dive In. Yet, 90% of youth players do exactly that. They sprint at the attacker, take a wild swing at the ball, and get easily dribbled past.

As a coach, you constantly yell “Stay on your feet!” or “Patience!”—but do your players know what that feels like?

This session replaces the “Stab” with the “Jockey.” It teaches players how to guide the attacker into harmless areas rather than trying to win the ball instantly.

💡 Key Takeaways

• The “Surfboard” Stance: Knees bent, side-on body shape. Never stand flat-footed.
• Delay, Don’t Destroy: The goal is to slow the attacker down, not necessarily steal the ball immediately.
• Dictate the Direction: Show the attacker the sideline (the “friendly defender”) and block the middle.

1. The “Shadow” Game (No Ball)

The Concept: Kids tackle too early because they focus on the ball. Remove the ball to fix the body shape first.

Setup:

• Grid: 10×15 yards.
• Pairs: One Attacker, One Defender.

The Drill:

1. The Attacker jogs towards the end line (at 50% speed).
2. The Defender must retreat backwards (Jockeying) while maintaining a “Surfboard Stance” (Side-on).
3. The Rule: The Defender must stay within touching distance but cannot touch the Attacker.
4. If the Attacker changes direction, the Defender must “drop step” and adjust without crossing their feet.

Coaching Cue:

• “Fast approach, slow arrival!” Sprint to close the gap, then hit the brakes 2 yards away.

2. The “Channel” Gauntlet (Live 1v1)

The Concept: Now we add the ball and a boundary. The sideline is the “Second Defender.”

Setup:

• Grid: Narrow channels (20 yards long, 8 yards wide).
• Goals: One small goal or gate at each end.

The Drill:

1. Defender passes the ball across to the Attacker to start.
2. Defender sprints out to close the space immediately.
3. The Goal: The Defender must force the Attacker out of bounds or win the ball.
4. If the Attacker scores, the Defender does 5 star jumps (keeps intensity high).

Why it works: The narrow grid forces the Defender to protect the middle. If they dive in, the Attacker skips past them. If they jockey, they run the Attacker out of space.

3. The “Recovery” Sprint (2v1 Pressure)

The Concept: In games, defenders often have to chase back. This teaches “Recovery Runs” and “Delaying.”

Setup:

• Grid: 20×20 yards towards a large goal.
• Players: 1 Defender (Starts at the post), 2 Attackers (Start 20 yards out).

The Drill:

1. Coach plays a ball to the Attackers.
2. The Defender must sprint out to engage the ball carrier.
3. The Twist: The Defender is outnumbered (1v2). They cannot simply dive in or they will get passed around.
4. They must “Fake” a tackle to slow the play down until help arrives (or time runs out).

Coaching Cue:

• “Don’t sell yourself!” If you commit to the tackle, you are gone. Just delay them.

🎥 Watch: 1v1 Defending Technique & Drills

If you want to see the “Surfboard Stance” in action, watch this excellent breakdown. It visualizes exactly how to keep your center of gravity low and how to “channel” the attacker without diving in.

Key moments to watch:

• 0:45 – Why patience wins more balls than tackling.
• 2:12 – The perfect body shape (Feet shoulder-width apart).
• 3:09 – Drill 1 Demo: Watch how the defender “mirrors” the attacker without touching them.

Common Questions: 1v1 Defending

Step-by-Step: The Perfect Jockey

Related Drill: 5 Fun Soccer Drills to Stop Bunching Up (The “Beehive” Cure)