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Football: 1 v 1

1 v 1 DRILLS
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1 V 1 - 3 Goal Game

Two players line up on opposite sides of a square. The attacking player dribbles the ball towards the centre before then attempting to stop the ball between one of the goals. The goal nearest to the defender's starting point is worth 10 points as it is the hardest goal to stop the ball in. The middle goal is worth 5 and the top goal only 1 point.

Defending

1 v 1 Passing Grid

The Object of this drill is to retain the ball whilst moving it from end to end. The Setup requires 6 grids and 3 groups of 4 player arranged as the diagram shows. In each central grid there is an attacker marked by a defender. The end grids contain neutral players as a passing option. The attackers start with the ball and work together to create passing channels to manover the ball towards the opposite end. When the defenders win the ball they immediatly become the attackers. The neutral players are always a passing option to the current attackers

1 v 1 skills

1 v 1 Passing Grid with Through Balls

Set up 6 3x3m gris in the centre with 2 goals at either side. Split the group into groups of 6 and place a attacker and a defender in each grid The attackers must retain the ball through passing until there is an oppurtunity to play a through ball. One attacker runs on to this and attempts to score. Through out each player must stay in their grid and only one attacker can run onto the through ball

1 v 1 skills

1 v 1 up and down

The drills starts with one player from group 1 (reds) running with a ball to the opposing goal, trying to score. As soon as they have a shot at goal, a player from group 2 (yellows) runs with a ball to the other goal to try and score. The player that had the first shot has to try and defend against the player from group 2. When this player scores or loses the ball to the defender, the next player starts from group 1 and the player that had the shot becomes the new defender. The player that had the first shot and then defended, goes to the back of there queue. (Players should always finish up in the same queue and attack the same goal).

1 v 1 skills

1 v 1 with Target Players

Players 1 and 3 (target players) feed the ball into the player who is facing them. This player must then try and get the ball to the target player at the other end. If the other player wins the ball, he can play to any target player.

1 v 1 skills

1v1 Ladder

Play 1 v 1 for a set period of time, with players trying to take on their opponent and score between the cones. At the end of the game, the winning player moves up (left) a pitch to take on someone else, while the loser moves down (right) a pitch. The player on the top pitch stays at the top if he wins, and the player at the bottom pitch stays there if he loses.

1 v 1 skills

Full backs defending in phase of play

Objective: To defend as a full back in a 1 v 1 situation Detail: This practice uses only 4 players (2 full backs 1 winger 1 GK). Use half a pitch down either side. Serving full back serves the ball from the half way line into the winger. Defensive full back starts 10 yards outside the 18 yard box. Serving full back passes ball into wide player, and as ball travels defending full back pressurises the ball. Close down wide player quickly cutting off the line preventing wide player getting passed into coned area. Slow down within 2-3 yards to prevent wide player getting past, but close enough to prevent building up speed. Jockey and lead with nearest foot if ball can be won.

Defending

Smash and Grab

Put a goalkeeper in each goal and play 1 v 1 in the middle. Play pair vs. pair for 3 minutes, then change. The object of the game is to score in the opposing goal. The team in possession must attempt to attack the opposing goal as a pair using passing, dribbling and shooting skills to score. Hence, the goalkeeper of the team in possession comes out of the goal to support his partner, but cannot score. Repeat in the opposite direction.

1 v 1 skills

Step Over Turn Away

Step over with left foot; turn and take away the ball with right foot. Practice individually.

1 v 1 skills

Strikers Space

Play 3 v 2 in the larger area and play 1 v 1 with a goalkeeper in the smaller(attacking) area. Red player 1 starts with the ball. The 3 red players in the larger area combine to pass the ball into the attacking area. The player who passes the ball into the area follows the ball into the attacking zone to make a 2 v 1 situation. Finish with a shot on goal. Rotate positions.Progression: Play 6 v 5 in an open 30 x 50 yard field.

Shooting

1v1 Ladder 1 v 1 skills - Socc...

Play 1 v 1 for a set period of time, with players trying to take on their opponent and score between the cones. At the end of the game, the winning player moves up (left) a pitch to take on someone else, while the loser moves down (right) a pitch. The player on the top pitch stays at the top if he wins, and the player at the bottom pitch stays there if he loses.

General

Shadow defending 1 v 1 skills ...

Players are working in pairs. Player 1 dribbles forward and player 2 shadows them, not trying to win the ball but trying to put pressure on the player in possession.

General

Soccer: 1 v 1 with Target Play...

Players 1 and 3 (target players) feed the ball into the player who is facing them. This player must then try and get the ball to the target player at the other end. If the other player wins the ball, he can play to any target player.

General

1v1 to Goal 1 v 1 skills - Soc...

Organise the players into groups of 3, with 1 goalkeeper and 2 outfield players. Player 1 and player 2 stand or sit facing away from goal. The goalkeeper then throws the ball out and player 1 and player 2 play the ball back to the goal, passing between them before shooting.

General

1 Vs 1 - Four cone game 1 v 1 ...

Players start on cones on the opposite side of the grid. Player 1 starts with the ball and passes it to player 2. As soon as player 2 touches the ball, player 1 can try to win the ball. Player 2 must try and dribble to any of the 3 spare cones in the grid. Player 2 scores one point for beating their opponent to either of the cones on the side and two points if he dribbles the ball around player 1 to the cone at the top of the area. Repeat the practice with player 1 in possession.

General

3 vs 2 - Two channels 1 v 1 sk...

2 players in one channel attack 1 defender whilst another attacker and defender wait in the other channel. The 2 attackers in the first channel play a 2 vs 1, trying to score a goal. However the 2nd defender can choose to come across and help defend making it a 2 vs 2 . Having drawn both defenders across into one channel the 2 attackers may choose to use the other channel and exploit the open space or continue to attack without using the unmarked player.

General

1v1 1 v 1 skills - Football Dr...

The feeder starts with the ball. They play the ball with a push pass forward. As the ball is played players 1 and 2 sprint to the ball. The first player to touch the ball becomes the attacker while the other player becomes the defender.

General

1 v 1 up and down 1 v 1 skills...

The drills starts with one player from group 1 (reds) running with a ball to the opposing goal, trying to score.<br /><br /> As soon as they have a shot at goal, a player from group 2 (yellows) runs with a ball to the other goal to try and score. The player that had the first shot has to try and defend against the player from group 2.<br /><br /> When this player scores or loses the ball to the defender, the next player starts from group 1 and the player that had the shot becomes the new defender. The player that had the first shot and then defended, goes to the back of there queue. (Players should always finish up in the same queue and attack the same goal).

General

1v1 Finishing Shooting - Socce...

<BR>Every other player in each line has a ball.<BR>The ball is played into space so that the attacking player can take the ball in their stride.<BR>Once the player has the ball they try to score against the goal keeper.<BR>The feed is then reverseed to the other side.

General

1 V 1 - 3 Goal Game Defending ...

Two players line up on opposite sides of a square. The attacking player dribbles the ball towards the centre before then attempting to stop the ball between one of the goals. The goal nearest to the defender's starting point is worth 10 points as it is the hardest goal to stop the ball in. The middle goal is worth 5 and the top goal only 1 point.

General

Drag and Push to Beat Defender...

Player A passes to player B and closes Player B down. Player B attacks Player A. Use the lateral drag with sole and push back to deceive the defender and beat them on the outside. Player B passes to Player A to restart practice.

General

Football: 1 v 1 Passing Grid w...

Set up 6 3x3m gris in the centre with 2 goals at either side.Split the group into groups of 6 and place a attacker and a defender in each gridThe attackers must retain the ball through passing until there is an oppurtunity to play a through ball. One attacker runs on to this and attempts to score. Through out each player must stay in their grid and only one attacker can run onto the through ball

General

Single step over and drag to b...

In this practice the defender passes the ball to the player practising the skill. The receiving player steps out then steps over the ball to then take the ball into the same direction with the instep of the opposite foot to the step over leg and beat the opponent. Both players then reverse roles when returning to the cones.

General

1 v 1 Attacking Shooting - Foo...

There are 4 groups, 2 attacking and 2 defendingThe diagnal groups work against each otherThe attacker can only score whilst they're in the penalty area<br>

General

Shadowing the attacker 1 v 1 s...

Players work in pairs with one ball between two cones. The attacker must move the ball from side to side, using changes of direction, speed and feints and step-overs the try and wrong foot the defender. The defender's job is to shuffle and follow the attacker, trying the hold them up and not give them an opening.

General

Bedknobs and Broomsticks 1 v 1...

Position players in 2 lines on each side of the area as shown in the diagram. Number each player from 1-6. This game is a throw back to the Disney classic, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The coach calls out a number between 1 and 6. The numbered player from each team must run around the outside of the field and through the goal at the top or bottom of the diagram onto the field of play. The coach serves a ball into the middle of the area. Players must compete to win the ball and attempt to dribble or shoot the ball through the goal at the opposite end of the area from which they entered.

General

Ring the Doorbell 1 v 1 skills...

Both players face each other on either side of a line drawn between 2 cones (10 metres apart). Both players must stay on their own side of the imaginary line. Player 1 starts with the ball and to score a goal he/she must stop the ball against one of the two cones. If the ball crosses the line or player 2 puts a foot on the line next to the cone before player 1 touches the ball against it, then possession changes to player 2. Play for 1 minute then change.

General

Drag and Push 1 v 1 skills - F...

Drag the ball away with the sole before pushing the ball back with the instep.

General

Ball Shield - whole body 1 v 1...

Set up as shown with 2 players and 1 ball between the two.The area should be a 4x4 diamond, however the shape and size can be modified depending on the level of your players and the main aspect of ball shielding you want to achieve.Play begins with the external player making a firm pass into the middle player. The external player closes down his pass and aims to win the ball back.The player in the middle aims to keep the ball, shielding it away from the defender for 10 seconds and then acclerates out of the diamond.

General

1v1 Through Ball Goalkeeping -...

One goalkeeper working two lines of attackers outside the area and about the width of the 6yd box apart.One line of attacker has the balls and plays the ball into the attacker at the other side.Attacker receiving the ball attempts to take the ball round the goalkeeper.The first server then joins Server 2 lineServer 2 who has just run through on goal joins Server 1 line.Depending on group size have two Goalkeepers taking it in turns

General

Smash and Grab 1 v 1 skills - ...

Put a goalkeeper in each goal and play 1 v 1 in the middle. Play pair vs. pair for 3 minutes, then change. The object of the game is to score in the opposing goal. The team in possession must attempt to attack the opposing goal as a pair using passing, dribbling and shooting skills to score. Hence, the goalkeeper of the team in possession comes out of the goal to support his partner, but cannot score. Repeat in the opposite direction.

General

1 vs 1 - Under Pressure Dribbl...

The red player attacks the blue player in the area between the blue cones. The blue player cannot tackle but can only put red player under pressure.

General

Safe House 2 1 v 1 skills - So...

The 4 players inside the blue square must protect the square and stop the ball carriers entering. To begin with the players inside the square are only allowed to shadow and block the outside players from entering. One point is scored by each player who successfully carries out their objective. If the defender wins the ball then the players switch roles.

General

1v1 Wave Drill Goalkeeping - S...

Two goals and two goalkeepers working.Get the attackers into groups of three at each end behind the goal.The GK starts with the ball and plays it out to the attackers at the opposite end.The two or three attackers then advance at pace at the goalkeeper who threw the ball.3 touches as a team to score.Then the opposite goalkeeper starts the drill and a wave of players come in from behind the opposite goal.

General

Shake and Bake 1 v 1 skills - ...

Set up as shown with a goal at each end. Play 3 v 3. Each team elects a goal keeper. This player is allowed to use his hands when saving a shot. He must also go forward as an outfield player during attacks on the opposing goal. Rotate keepers every two minutes. When a player gets the ball in the opposition's half, he should try to dribble past them. Award 3 points for fakes past the defender and 5 points for every goal. The first team to 21 wins. Allow the players to pick scores for different skills.

General

Cruyff Cut Back 1 v 1 skills -...

Plant the standing leg to the side of the ball, bring the kicking leg back and then forward, as if kicking the ball. Using the inside of the "kicking foot", drag the ball backwards and accelerate into the space behind.

General

Goals, Goals, Goals 3 1 v 1 sk...

Three players line up facing each other. Player 1 plays the ball into player two's feet. They meet the ball and turn before playing a wall pass with player 3, and once the ball has returned, player 2 then shoots first time.

General

Drag dummy step over - Stage 5...

Working in pairs, the drills starts with the defender passing the ball to the player practicing the skill. The skill in this practice is that the player drags the ball with the instep of the right foot across the body. The player then steps over the ball with the left foot pretending to kick the ball in the opposite direction (moving the defender out of the way). The ball continues to roll and the attacker runs past the defender and continues to run to the opposite cone.

General

Step Over 1 v 1 skills - Footb...

This drill uses 3/4 cones to simulate a defender. The attacker dribbles with the ball then steps over the ball, taking the ball either side of the cones. Get players to change the direction of their stepover every time.

General

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1 v 1 DRILL CATEGORIES
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1 v 1 skills Drills
1 v 1 skills Drills
1 v 1 SESSIONS
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Step over skills session - Confidence on the ball

The pedalada, the Denílson, or the scissors! No matter what you call it make sure your players can perform this advanced 1v1 attacking dribble

1 v 1 Passing

Work with your team-mates to maintain possession with this passing session

One vs One - Developing Dribbling Confidence

Improve confidence on the ball and get your players running at the opposition with this dribbling skills refresher plan

Use of speed with the ball

Improve players capability to run with the ball at pace, eliminating defenders and moving the whole team up the field. Make sure their decision making is up to scratch too.

Beating opponents in 1 v 1's

Give your players the understanding and recognition of how to beat players then develop their technique to manipulate the ball to shift defenders slightly to eliminate.

1 v 1 Finishing against goalkeepers

Turn defence into attack in an instant by stepping in front of the opposition and intercepting the passes to spring a counter attack.
1 v 1 ANSWERS
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how can I progress this session?

Cedric Pisani Coach, Malta

Is there a way to help my under 8's team to pass and?

Is there a way to help my under 8's team to pass and mark in a fun amp; enjoyable way?

Archived User Coach

Coaching the defences at attack from flanks?

Any suggestions for coaching the defences at attack from flanks?

Away Ng Coach, Hong Kong

What does your average training session..?

What does your average training session look like.. in terms of time spent 1) warming up/fitness 2) drills to aid technique or hands-on coaching for specific areas you want to improve and 3) SSGs? I read somewhere to spend roughly equal amounts of time on each..

Coach, England

How can i teach the team not to herd the ball

I am a coach with a U12 girls team, we are having difficulty keeping them in their zones...they all rush to where the ball is and the other team passes into the open area and then socre.

Archived User Coach

My team can't seem to get the ball and pass?

Every time my get the ball they will always kick it long and give straight to the time where as they need to gert it and pass. Can any one help?

Matthew Perkins Coach, England

Where to start training my two U12 groups?

I am coaching two U12 boys groups. They have minimal training in the past, I have worked on dribbling and passing. Just starting 1 v 1s. I am training now in a gym, was wondering if any one had any drills that would work with approx. 15 kids?

Archived User Coach

Private Coaching - Session Ideas

Hi guys, I've got one of my best players come to me with his father and ask if I could hold a 1hr30mins session for just him to improve his football overall. He's got good ability, so does anyone have session ideas I could implement aswell as techniques to use when coaching one on one, as I've not done it before?

Oliver Perkins Coach, England

Has anyone coached the session 'See it, do it' before?

I'm doing my FA Level 1 assessment tomorrow and my session is 'see it, do it'. it's a 9 v 4 session where the object of the game is to keep possession of the ball and make runs into space. Any tips on how to make this a fun session? And perhaps any pointers?ThanksNick

Archived User Coach

Positioning drills in attack/ deffence

How to make young players to work on their positioning in an attacking or defensive situation Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Archived User Coach

Pre-match warm up to prevent a slow starts to matches?

My Under 9 team keeps starting games slowly. Normally by half time they are just getting switched on and playing like they can. What's a good pre-match warm up to get them switched on and ready to go right from kick off?

Paul Cope Coach, England

Drills for holding up a ball to allow attacking phase to progress

does anyone have any drills for players holding up possession to either bring other players into the game or run the clock down?

Cooper Cooper Coach, England

STRIKER VS DEFENDER SESSION HELP

IS THERE ANY SESSIONS THAT CAN IMPROVE STRIKERS AND DEFENDERS IN 1V1 SITUATIONS FROM CROSSES AND FROM STRAIGHT ON

Tom England Coach, England

Under 7s

Any suggestions on fun defending sessions for my under 7s team. Any fun shooting sessions would also be a bonus too...

Andy Jeffery Coach, United Kingdom

Defender drills

Any idea's on defending on 1V1

Alan Short Coach, England

panicking when a opposition have the ball near the box

help I need to know some drills that I can do with my U10 on how to stay calm when defending

sean brooks Coach, United Kingdom

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