Dribbling and 1 v 1

Set Up:  

There are 10-12 players set up inside of the grid, each with a ball. The players work in pairs or groups of three, dribbling around the grid and following the player in front of them. The lead player uses feinting and dribbling moves in order to shake off the player(s) following him. He can also challenge his group by trying to mix in with the traffic created by the other groups.

Coaching Points:

1.  Make sharp changes of speed and direction with the dribble.

2.  Sell your dribbling moves with realistic ball and body feints.

3.  Accelerate out of your moves in order to separate from the other players.

Progressions: 

1. Link up with other groups until all of the players are linked up.

Set Up: 

There are 10-12 players set up around the four sides of the small field, each with a ball. A smaller grid is placed in the center. To begin play, the defender steps into the center of the small grid. Player 1 attacks the defender 1 v 1, trying to dribble all the way through the grid. If the defender wins the challenge, then Player 1 becomes the new defender, playing 1 v 1 against Player 2. If not, the defender must stay in the middle to defend the next attack from Player 3. Each new attack begins as soon as the ball is out of the grid and play rotates counterclockwise.

Coaching Points:

1.  The defender must control the speed of his initial run and not charge in.

2.  The decision to tackle or not depends on how well the attacker controls the dribble.

3.  If possible, the defender should win the ball as opposed to kicking it out of bounds.

Progressions: 

1.  Reduce the size of the central grid.

Set Up:  

There are 10-12 players set up on a field split into three zones, with players starting at the cones. To begin play, an attacker passes to his teammate, bringing him into the central zone along with the defender. The attacker tries to beat the defender 1 v 1 and enter the attacking zone. If the defender wins the ball, he tries to advance the ball into the other attacking zone. When an attacker enters the attacking zone, the defender on the end line enters the field to create another 1 v 1. When goals are scored or a ball is put out of play, the ball is re-started by the other team. 

Coaching Points:

1.  A quality first touch gives you more time and space to deal with the defender.

2.  Put the defender under pressure by taking the ball at him at speed.

3.  Cut in front of the defender to shield the ball from him.

Progressions: 

1.   Start with a 50-50 ball.  

Set Up:  

There are 14 players set up on a field split into three zones, playing 3 v 3 plus two in the central zone and 1 v 1 in other two zones. During the game, the attackers try to play the ball out of the middle zone and into the attacking zone for a finish on goal. All of the players must stay inside of their zones during play. Balls put out of touch are re-started with a throw-in, and balls put out over the end line are re-started by the Feeder.

Coaching Points:

1.   Check away from the ball in the attacking zone so that you have room to turn.

2.   With a defender on your back, take your first touch away from pressure.

3.   Play one or two touch soccer in the congested central zone.

Progressions:

1.   One attacker in the central zone crosses over with the pass to create a 2 v 1.

Set Up:

Two teams play on a field a bit smaller than a full field - penalty area width and one end line moved up to the edge of one penalty area. The length of the game is 30-40 minutes and play is continuous, meaning no stoppages by the coaching staff to instruct. If the coach desires, he can use two minutes at the halfway point to water break and to give very brief instructions, something pertaining to the coaching topic for the practice.

The two teams should not let the other team know what formation that they are playing, and they should try to run a formation that is different from that of the other team. Once the game has started, it is up to the players to sort out the other teams' attacking and defending shapes.

Coaching Points:

NONE!

Progressions:

1.  Extend the width of the field out to the sidelines. Allow teams to make changes in positions and/or formations during that short break. 

2.  The coach can move players or groups of players to create the desired match ups. For example, starting back line versus starting strikers.