Watch any level of football and you will notice players who can win 1v1s find themselves in good positions to create problems for the opposition. This gives a big advantage to your team and means that more goalscoring chances will be created.
You could say: Win the 1v1s and you’re on your way to winning the game.
If your player has the ball or is trying to win it in a 1v1, he needs to analyse the situation and opponent. It is vital to make quick decisions and use movement, skill and a change of pace to win the 1v1s.
I use this simple-to-set-up game that asks some difficult questions of my players and gets them thinking of ways to succeed.
How to play it
Split your players into pairs.
Players cannot tackle each other.
Use two cones five yards apart – gradually make the distance wider to make it harder.
Player 1 must beat player 2 by stopping the ball at the cone before player 2 can touch the cone.