Low block defence exercises for U14 players
Defending in a low block is one of the most complex phases to coach with U14 teams (13-14 years). It requires collective organisation, communication and great tactical discipline. At this stage, players can fully engage with advanced concepts like compactness, defensive shifting, covering and timing of the press out of the block. In this article you will find 5 low block defence exercises for U14 players, with objective, materials, space, duration and a variation for each one. Exercises that teach your players how to maintain compactness, communicate and work as a defensive unit.
Why work on low block defence with U14 players?
Low block defending — also called organised retreat or zonal defending in a low position — is one of the most complex tactical phases to coach in youth football. For U14 players (13-14 years), learning to defend as a unit with compactness and collective discipline is a key challenge of this stage. Three pedagogical principles to keep in mind. First, compactness: the team must maintain short distances between lines and between players, making it difficult for the opponent to find space between the lines. Second, communication: defensive organisation requires constant verbal communication to alert teammates to movements of the ball and opponents. Third, collective discipline: the low block only works when all players respect their positions and do not break the block by pressing individually. These exercises work on these principles through attack-defence situations that progressively increase the difficulty and the defensive demands.
Exercises 5
Attack-Defence 11v9
| Objective | Improve build-up from goalkeeper kick-out, improve turn connections, make penetrating runs to progress the attack. Improve high press against the goalkeeper kick-out |
| Players | 20 players split into 2 teams: 11 (10 players + 1 goalkeeper) vs 9 players |
| Materials | Cones, discs, bibs and balls |
| Space | ¾ football pitch |
| Duration | 2-3 sets x 5-9 min per set |
| Category | Attack-Defence |
An attack-defence game is played on ¾ pitch with 11 players (10 + 1 goalkeeper) against 9 players. The objective for the attacking team (red) is to reach the white zone with a controlled ball, starting from a goalkeeper kick-out. If they lose the ball they apply pressing after loss.
The objective for the defending team (blue) is to win the ball back by applying a high press against the goalkeeper kick-out and then score in the goal.
Attack: focus on the relationship distances and width of the players, correct offensive decision-making to help find the free player. Defence: guide the defenders' pressing, reducing spaces and directing the press, remind how to close down.
Variation: reduce the space to increase defensive intensity or add a touch limit to force faster play. You can also add a joker to create numerical superiority and facilitate learning.
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| Objective | Improve build-up from goalkeeper kick-out, improve ball progression, make penetrating runs to progress the attack. Improve high press against the goalkeeper kick-out |
| Players | 20 players split into 2 teams: 11 (10 players + 1 goalkeeper) vs 9 players |
| Materials | Cones, discs, bibs and balls |
| Space | ¾ football pitch |
| Duration | 2-3 sets x 5-9 min per set |
| Category | Attack-Defence |
An attack-defence game is played on ¾ pitch with 11 players (10 + 1 goalkeeper) against 9 players. The objective for the attacking team (red) is to reach the white zone with a controlled ball, starting from a goalkeeper kick-out. If they lose the ball they apply pressing after loss.
The objective for the defending team (blue) is to win the ball back by applying a high press against the goalkeeper kick-out and then score in the goal.
Attack: focus on the relationship distances and width of the players, correct offensive decision-making to help find the free player. Defence: guide the defenders' pressing, reducing spaces and directing the press, remind how to close down.
Variation: reduce the space to increase defensive intensity or add a touch limit to force faster play. You can also add a joker to create numerical superiority and facilitate learning.
Attack-Defence 10v9
| Objective | Improve attacking play in the opponent's half, improve attacking against a low block, improve turn connections, make penetrating runs |
| Players | 19 players split into 2 teams: 10 vs 8 players + 1 goalkeeper |
| Materials | Cones, discs, bibs and balls |
| Space | ½ football pitch |
| Duration | 2-3 sets x 5-9 min per set |
| Category | Attack-Defence |
An attack-defence game is played on ½ pitch with 10 players against 8 players + 1 goalkeeper. The objective for the attacking team (red) is to score in the goal, starting play from midfield. If they lose the ball they apply pressing after loss.
The objective for the defending team (blue) is to win the ball back by applying pressure in their own half and then score in mini-goals or reach the white zone with a controlled ball.
Attack: focus on the relationship distances and width of the players, correct offensive decision-making to help find the free player. Defence: guide the defenders' shifts, reducing spaces and directing the press, remind how to close down.
Variation: reduce the space to increase defensive intensity or add a touch limit to force faster play. You can also add a joker to create numerical superiority and facilitate learning.
Attack-Defence 10v9
| Objective | Improve attacking play in the opponent's half, improve attacking against a low block, improve ball progression. Improve defence in own half |
| Players | 19 players split into 2 teams: 10 vs 8 players + 1 goalkeeper |
| Materials | Cones, discs, bibs and balls |
| Space | ½ football pitch |
| Duration | 2-3 sets x 5-9 min per set |
| Category | Attack-Defence |
An attack-defence game is played on ½ pitch with 10 players against 8 players + 1 goalkeeper. The objective for the attacking team (red) is to score in the goal, starting play from midfield. If they lose the ball they apply pressing after loss.
The objective for the defending team (blue) is to win the ball back by applying pressure in their own half and then score in mini-goals or reach the white zone with a controlled ball.
Attack: focus on the relationship distances and width of the players, correct offensive decision-making to help find the free player. Defence: guide the defenders' shifts, reducing spaces and directing the press, remind how to close down.
Variation: reduce the space to increase defensive intensity or add a touch limit to force faster play. You can also add a joker to create numerical superiority and facilitate learning.
Attack-Defence 10v10
| Objective | Improve build-up from goalkeeper kick-out, improve turn connections. Improve pressure in own half |
| Players | 20 players split into 2 teams: 10 vs 9 players + 1 goalkeeper |
| Materials | Cones, discs, bibs and balls |
| Space | ¾ football pitch |
| Duration | 2-3 sets x 5-9 min per set |
| Category | Attack-Defence |
An attack-defence game is played on ¾ pitch with 10 players against 9 players + 1 goalkeeper. The objective for the attacking team (red) is to score in the goal, starting play from midfield. If they lose the ball they apply pressing after loss.
The objective for the defending team (blue) is to win the ball back by applying pressure in their own half and then score in mini-goals or reach the white zone with a controlled ball.
Attack: focus on the relationship distances and width of the players, correct offensive decision-making to help find the free player. Defence: guide the defenders' shifts, reducing spaces and directing the press, remind how to close down.
Variation: reduce the space to increase defensive intensity or add a touch limit to force faster play. You can also add a joker to create numerical superiority and facilitate learning.
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Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the low block and when does the team use it?
The low block is a defensive structure in which the team retreats towards their own half and defends with compactness, making it difficult for the opponent to find spaces between the lines. It is used when the team needs to protect the result, when facing a superior opponent or when the defensive organisation does not allow a high press.
How do I teach my U14 players not to step out of the block too early?
The main error when defending in a low block is that individual players press without collective criteria, breaking the compactness. The key is to establish clear triggers: when to press (when the opponent makes a poor control or is under pressure), when to stay (when the ball is far away or the block is compact). At U14, work on the trigger as a collective team decision.
How many players can I use to work on low block defence?
"The most effective low block exercises work with 10-16 players, since you need a full team in the block and another one attacking. However, reduced attack-defence situations (7v5, 8v6) can also work well for introducing specific concepts with fewer players."
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