1 v 1 Challenges

Set Up:

• Ten players are set up in a 15 x 20 yard grid. The coach will select two players to be the Angry Birds with a ball.
• The rest of the players are Piggies and do not have a ball.
• The Angry Birds try to tag the Piggies by passing their ball to hit the Piggies below the knee.
• If a Piggy gets tagged they get a ball and join the Angry Birds.
• If a Piggy leaves the grid to escape an Angry Bird, they become an Angry Bird.
• Play until there are two players left as Piggies. They are the winners of the game, and become the Angry Birds for the next round.

Coaching Points:

• Show players how to use the inside of their foot to strike the ball.
• Stress the timing of pass. Can you pass to where the player is going, not where they were?
• Use peripheral vision while dribbling to see where you want to go next.
• Can the players dribble the ball to better set up their next pass?

Set Up:  

There are 8-10 players set up on a small field, starting on the end lines. The Feeder begins the drill with a pass into one of the attackers, and the defender stationed at the halfway line releases with the Feeder’s first touch. The attacking player tries to dribble past the defender and across the midfield line. When he does, a second defender releases from the end line to create another 1 v 1. The attacker scores a point for beating the first defender and two more points for beating the second. During the drill, the Feeder alternates service to both teams.

Coaching Points:

1.   A good first touch gives the attacker time to read the defender’s run.

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

3.   Change speed and direction with the dribble. Accelerate out of your dribbling moves.

Progressions: 

1.   Progress to 2 v 2.    

Set Up: 

Eight players are set up in the attacking third, with a 1 v 1 in the penalty area, and five players stationed at the cones. Play begins with a pass from the Feeder into the attacking player, who tries to turn and finish on goal. If the defender wins the ball, he finishes on the two small goals set up just outside of the penalty area. The four outside players serve balls in as well, and after five balls have been played in, the players in the 1 v 1 switch roles. After that turn is completed, two new players switch in. A team score is kept during the drill.

Coaching Points:

1.  Check away from the passer and run back into the space that you created.

2.  When turned away from goal, shield the ball and keep it on your outside foot.

3.  If the defender breaks his concentration, sneak in on his blind side.

Progressions: 

1.  Progress to a 2 v 2.

Set Up:  

There are 11 players set up on a small field split into three zones, playing 2 v 2 plus one in the central zone, and 1 v 1 in the two end zones. The Feeder begins play with a pass into the central zone. The attackers pass the ball from the central zone into an end zone for a 1 v 1 finish on goal. All of the players must stay inside of their zones during play. On goals or on balls put out of play, the game is re-started by the GK.

Coaching Points:

1.  Attack defenders at speed during the 1 v 1 and get them back on their heels. 

2.  When receiving a pass, take your first touch away from the defender.   

3.  Check away from the ball in order to create enough space to receive and turn.

Progressions: 

1.  Allow attackers in the central zone to cross over, creating a 2 v 1.     

Set Up:

Teams of five play games to two goals with a five minute time limit. Free play, no stops for coaching. Play is re-started by the GKs. When the game is over, the third team comes onto the field for the next game, and the losing team goes off. In the event of a tie, the coach can decide to let the defending champs stay on or go off, or determine the winner with a crossbar challenge.

Coaching Points:

None. Leave the players alone!