This practice is provides players an opportunity to work on their 1v1 skills with a view to playing forward as much as possible. Players will be challenged with finding space to receive, receiving skills, retention under pressure and of course completing a pass in order to get success. Be conscious of the physical demands within the practice and try to be creative in how you could adapt this to make it easier or harder.
About the Video
In the video below, Dan will talk you through the structure of the practice, various outcomes and how you can adapt it for your players.
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Practice Overview
Topic: 1v1
No. of Players: 4-16
Goalkeepers: N/A
Practice Type: Skill Practice
Offsides: N/A
Pitch Size: 12 x 16
Timing: 15 – 20 mins
Age Group: U6+
Interpreting the Diagrams
The key below outlines what the images mean on the diagrams.
If you have questions about the practices, contact the PDP Team or share your views on the Player Development Project Coaching Community.
Key For Diagrams
Diagrams
Objectives
This practice is designed to provide players with opportunities to practice 1v1 possession based scenario. The attacking player aims to receive the ball from one floater and move the ball forwards to the opposite floater. The defender aims to win the ball and take the attacking role.
Organisation
Set up a rectangular area with two end zones and a half way line. An end zone floater player begins with possession and looks to pass to the attacking player in the middle. The player in the middle tries to create an opportunity for themselves to receive the ball without being dispossessed. Once they have possession of the ball, the attacking player aims to score by getting the ball to other floater. The defender tries to win the ball, if successful they immediately become the attacking player. You can create score limits for players to reach or do this on a timer of 60 second – 90 second rounds. Rest is important in any 1v1 session as it can be very physically demanding.
Observations & Interventions
What you might see
- Defending players moving to the ball slowly
- Players giving up when they lose the ball
Actions you might take
- Encourage the defending players to make the challenge as difficult as possible for the attacking player
- Reward players with double goals if they counter press and score
Adaptations:
Is the session too easy?
- Make the space narrower
- Match player with a partner who is physically/technically similar
Is the session too hard?
- Make the space wider
- Allow end zone players to pass to each other for a point
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