Basic 1v1 ⢠Defender D plays ball to Attacker A ⢠D closes down A ⢠A attempts to beat D and score in net ⢠D wins if ball is cleared out of area ⢠A and D switch lines
Four Ds of defence: Deny, Delay, Deflect, Dig ball out ⢠Close down quickly on A's first touch ⢠Slow last 3 paces, don't over-commit ⢠1st priority deny/deflect shot on goal ⢠2nd priority deny/delay path to goal ⢠3rd priority dig ball out (tackle) ⢠D controls where A can go ⢠Force A away from the goal or onto weaker shooting foot
This practice has no coaching points
This practice has no progressions
in more ways than one
sportplan_football
Deliberate heading is now out of U11 grassroots matches. Here is how to coach chest, thigh and foot control so your players still win the ball in the air.
Long-range goals doubled at the 2026 World Cup as teams sat deep. Here is how to coach when to shoot from distance, the technique, and the follow-up.
Under FutureFit, your Under-9s stay at 5v5, your Under-11s stay at 7v7 and your Under-13s stay at 9v9. Same pitch, same numbers, one more year. Here is how to make sure that year feels like a step forward rather than a repeat.
