Small Sided Games to Train Defending

with Mike Brown,
Iowa Western Men's Soccer Coach;
2021 NJCAA National Champions;
2020 NJCAA National Championship Runner-up;
2021 Midwest District Champions;
2x Region XI Champions;
3x ICCAC Champions;
Barton Community College (KS) Head Coach from 2016 to 2019;
University of Central Arkansas Assistant Coach from 2014 to 2016;
Iowa Western Recruiting Coordinator from 2012 to 2014;
2013 NJCAA National Champions;
United Soccer Coaches All-America and Rankings Committee - Chair;
NSCAA Premier Diploma and Goalkeeping Level 2 Diploma;
USSF D License

Coach Mike Brown puts a new spin on an old saying by teaching his defenders to 'work harder and smarter' to shut down their opponents. 

In 2 v. 2 Defending, players are encouraged to make the opponent predictable. Forcing play wide and cutting off the middle of the field are only achieved by defenders working together. 

"Red Bull Chaos"  - has players working together in a 6 v. 3, one touch activity. Defenders must 'react and squeeze' to shut down the opposing team. Defenders must react together to have success.  Pressing and re-pressing tactics are introduced. 

3 v. 3 to Small Goals - trains defenders to work together, protect central areas, and make strong recovery runs. Endless attacking and defending scenarios develop, allowing to train defending in transition. This activity also helps train mental toughness through strong defensive recovery runs to help teammates defend. 

Coach Brown has created an environment that allows you to get more out of your defensive training sessions. Brown provides technical coaching points, layers in tactical concepts of pressing and defending in transition throughout three high intensity activities!  

51 minutes. 2024.