Shadow Defending

Objective

Build the defensive habit of staying goal-side and mirroring the attacker.

Equipment

• Ball
• Cones

Instructions

1. 1

   Mark a 15-yard channel. Defender starts goal-side, attacker starts at the top.

2. 2

   The attacker walks or jogs in any direction — no ball involved.

3. 3

   The defender must mirror every movement, maintaining a 1–2 yard distance and staying goal-side at all times.

4. 4

   After 90 seconds, add the ball: attacker dribbles, defender shadows without tackling.

Coaching Points

• ✓ Stay side-on — do not face the attacker square.
• ✓ Small, quick shuffling steps; never cross your feet.
• ✓ Eyes on the ball, not the attacker's eyes.

Age Notes

Variations

• → Allow the defender to tackle once they have forced the attacker to a cone.
• → Use in a 10x20 yard area to simulate wide defending.