This series of drills will help your attackers take on defenders in crucial 1v1 battles. This is an important skill all players need because there are so many one-on-one encounters everywhere on the pitch.
Players in possession must:
Warm up | Session | Development | Game Situation | Warm Down |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 minutes | 10 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 10 minutes |
Mark out an area and put players in pairs with one ball between each pair, as shown in the top picture. One player from each pair tries to keep possession. However, to win a point they must dribble past their opponent.
If the attacker loses the ball, the defender wins a point. Play for one minute before the players switch roles. The player with the most points wins.
In a smaller area, play 5v5, plus a goalkeeper and a server (S). Both teams start on either side of the goal, as shown in the middle picture.
The server stands centrally at the opposite end and passes into the playing area, at which point, one player from each team runs on and tries to gain possession. Whoever wins possession tries to beat the other player and shoot at goal.
Each player has 10 seconds from winning possession to score. If the defender wins possession, he tries to score.
Now divide players into three teams, each with four players, and use two goals, one at each end of the pitch. Play 4v4 (team A v team B) inside the area. The third team (team C) provides two-touch passing support to the players in possession.
The drill begins with two players in both A and B having a ball, creating four 1v1s.
Goals can only be scored once the players in possession dribble past the defender assigned to mark them. If the defender wins possession, the roles are immediately reversed.
The ball stays in the net after a goal is scored, with the attacker and defender becoming free to receive passes and support team mates.
Now, C players can pass to any member of the team they receive the ball from. Once all the balls are in the net (use a fifth ball if the score is level), the team with the most goals switches roles with C to repeat the drill.
After each team has played each other, there will be a winner.
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
*includes 3 coaching manuals
Get Weekly Inspiration
All the latest techniques and approaches
Soccer Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use soccer drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of soccer coaching since we launched in 2007, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.