First point is an obvious one – do your players understand that they must get back when they lose the ball and cover the defensive third or that if they lose the ball high up the pitch they press to try and win it back. One of the phrases that came out of the great Barcelona team under Pep Guardiola was "lose the ball win it back in 6 seconds". The reason it is 6 seconds is because that is about the length of time your team has to win it back before they must then drop into a defensive formation. Defenders need to be coached in their lines of recovery. So they must be aware at all times of their position on the pitch and the recovery lines back to goal. Full backs tuck in central defenders secure the area in front of goal.  Here is your checklist: Getting your players goalside is one of your main aims. Awareness to recover to the main areas where your team is under threat. Forwards press and midfielders pick up supporting runners. Defenders go tight with areas of the pitch highlighted so they know where to recover to. Body position/angle to the position of the ball and the goal players are defending. Most of this is where your coaching comes in to get players to understand that this is good practice and get your team letting in less goals.