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Football: one v one

one v one DRILLS
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One v One Racing Cars

Two players with one ball per pair. Player 1 and player 2 juggle to decide who starts with the ball. If player 1 wins, he/she begins with the ball and player 2 begins at a disadvantage (i.e. on one knee, on both knees etc.) Player 1 must dribble through as many gates as possible while player 2 must try to win possession of the ball and do the same. Each gate is worth one point. One circuit should last no more than 2 minutes. Note: A player may not go through the same gate until they have been through another gate.

Dribbling

One v One Tag

Two players with a ball each stand in a 10x10 square. Player 1 has 1 minute to tag player 2 as many times as possible on the shoulder. You must maintain possession of the ball at all times; if player 2's ball leaves the square then player 1 is awarded a tag. After every tag the tagger must retire to a corner. After 1 minute, player 2 tries to beat player 1's score.

Defending

One v One Tag Dribbling - Foot...

Two players with a ball each stand in a 10x10 square. Player 1 has 1 minute to tag player 2 as many times as possible on the shoulder. You must maintain possession of the ball at all times; if player 2's ball leaves the square then player 1 is awarded a tag. After every tag the tagger must retire to a corner. After 1 minute, player 2 tries to beat player 1's score.

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

Mirrors Dribbling - Football D...

Group in pairs. One ball per pair. Position one player on each side of an imaginary line made by the discs. Repeat in 5 other areas for a total of 12 players. One player starts with the ball. Neither player is allowed to cross the imaginary line. The player in possession of the ball attempts to dribble to either of the discs before the defender touches the very same disc. Repeat practice with the other player in possession. To encourage feints, try doing the practice first without a ball, then with.

General

Football: Run on and shoot und...

This drill simulates a through pass being played for your attack to run onto and finish in a one vs one show-down with the keeper. The two lines take it in turns to run. The first player passes the ball for the attacker to run onto - once inside the box the attacker should run deeper inside the box and try to get the better of the keeper in a one vs one. After shooting players should collect their ball and run to the back of their feeder's line. The player who played the through pass should follow their pass and join the back of the attacker's line.

General

1 Vs. 1 Channelling Defending ...

Two teams line up side by side behind their cones. When the player with the ball sets off to run around the cone the drill is live. The player with the ball must run around the cone and then try to score a goal in the defender's side goal by dribbling the ball across the line. This will score them a point. The defenders have to try and force the player to run across their own goal line or tackle them and run the ball over the line themselves. The winner is the first team to 3 goals. After this you can swap the roles around, with the attackers now defending and vice versa.

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

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

Dribble Dash - First past the ...

Position 2 teams of 6 players in opposite corners of the same end line and number players on each team from 1 to 6. Place a gate (2 cones, 3 yards apart) at the opposite end of the area to the goal. Position the coach as a goalkeeper in the goal. The coach calls out a number from 1 to 6. The respective players from each team run with the ball following the directional arrow as shown in the diagram, to the gate at the end of the grid. The first ball to cross through the gate is the ball that is used (the other one can be discarded). The players then compete in a 1 vs 1 to get a shot on goal.

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

Football: 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.<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

One v One Racing Cars Dribblin...

Two players with one ball per pair. Player 1 and player 2 juggle to decide who starts with the ball. If player 1 wins, he/she begins with the ball and player 2 begins at a disadvantage (i.e. on one knee, on both knees etc.) Player 1 must dribble through as many gates as possible while player 2 must try to win possession of the ball and do the same. Each gate is worth one point. One circuit should last no more than 2 minutes. Note: A player may not go through the same gate until they have been through another gate.

General

2 v 1 overlap switch Shooting ...

Two attacking players against one defender. The player who starts with the ball passes the ball square to the other player. This player runs towards the defender (isolating the defender) allowing the other player to loop round and overlap them to receive the ball in the space created. After receiving the pass this player should then have a shot at goal.

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

2 V 1 Conditioned games - Foot...

Set up 2 goals 10-15m apart. Divide in to 2 groups and line up either side of the goals.2 from one side and 1 from the other enter.The 2 must beat the defender and score

General

Football: Two Balls: 2 v 1 Gri...

Set up a 5x5 metre grid with three players and two balls. The defending player starts in the middle of the grid, facing the two attackers. When everyone is ready the two attackers both set off and try to run out any side of the grid without being tackled by the defender.

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

Football: Defending 2 On 1 - S...

Player 1 has a ball; the other three balls are placed on discs on the end line. Player 1 passes the ball to player 3, who must advance the ball to the opposite end line without being dispossessed of it by 1 or 2. Player 1 moves in to assume the correct defending position, forcing 3 in the direction of 2 by blocking the right side of the attacker. Players 1 and 2 combine to win the ball. If the defenders win the ball, have them attempt to knock a ball off a cone. Both defenders start on the same side of the area.

General

Football: 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

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

3 v 2 Crossing and Finishing -...

Set up 2 goals 10-15m apart. Divide in to 2 groups and line up either side of the goals.3 from one side and 2 from the other enter.The 3 must beat the defender and score

General

Football: 1 v 1 Attacking - Sp...

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

Football: Single step over and...

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

Football: Dribble Maze - Sport...

Skills dribbling - players dribble with the ball to the first cone which they should then run around in an anti-clockwise direction. They then run to the second cone and run around this one in an anti-clockwise direction as well. From this point players run through the two gates before running from the near right to far left cone, along the back edges of the blue cones (far left to far right) and finally around the near left cone before dribbling back to the touchline.

General

Bull Dog Dribbling - Football ...

Five players start on one end line, each with a ball. One defender is stationed in the middle without a ball. All players must try to dribble past the defender to the safety of the other side on the coach's call. If the defending player manages to kick the other players ball out of the area, then that player also becomes a defender. Continue until one attacker remains.

General

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

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

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

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one v one SESSIONS
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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
one v one ANSWERS
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how can I progress this session?

Cedric Pisani Coach, Malta

How do I stop players from taking on one too many opponents?

How do I stop players from taking on one too many opponents in a one v one situation - my players insist on trying to go through too many players.

Archived User Coach

Midfield cannot / will not win the ball ?

My team has just moved up to youth football 11 aside. Our defence is solid and our forwards skillfull and quick but we seem unable to win the ball in midfield. Our midfielders watch what is happening hoping the opposition midfielder will mess up, rather than attacking the ball. Encouragement from the sidelines does not seem to help. Can you suggest some training drills.

Archived User Coach

Teaching young players about offsides?

Any drills for teaching young players about offsides and more importantly keeping a good defensive line and moving as a unit

wayne nimblette 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

Where to start training my two...

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 Ide...

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
one v one COMMUNITY DRILLS
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One v One Guantlet Gladiators

DRILL 1 - 1 VS 1 BATTLES

Turning/changing direction technical practice

One V One With Passing Option

ONE V ONE, ONE V 2, 2 V 2 PROGRESSIONS

2att v 1def

content

Traffic Jam Football

One v One Attack

8v8+1 Rondo

Practice 1 - Numbers game

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