Natick Soccer Club

1v1 ATTACKING AND DEFENDING

In conjunction with Mass Premier Soccer

FALL SEASON 2010

WHY 1v1
In terms of understanding the principles of play in the game, 1v1 exercises look primarily at the role of the first
attacker and first defender:
1. The role of the first attacker is PENETRATION. This may be accomplished by shooting, passing or dribbling.
2. The role of the first defender is PRESSURE. We should look at speed of approach, position on approach
and then patience. Effectively we want to influence the ball by getting the attacker to put their head down
and make them predictable by reducing their options.
A lot of what we want to create in these 1v1 situations is a psychological edge. We want our players to want
to take players on as much as possible in attacking situations and we want them to be very hard to beat in
defensive situations.
Win the 1v1 battles and you win the war.
ATTACKING:
We want our attackers to think
What movement to make to get open
Can the first touch be forward
Do I pass or drive
Do I use speed or deception
DEFENDING:
We want our defenders to think:
Can I intercept by reading the game
Can I delay the attack with pressure
Can I make play predictable for me and my team
Can I tackle or force back

1V1 ATTACKING MOVES:

Here is a list of some of the basic 1v1 moves that young players should be encouraged to practice with both feet. Like all
technical aspects of the game these should start slow until the young player can perfect them and then progress to
game speed. We want the players to be confident to use these at full speed in a game scenario.

1v1 Move

Explanation

Scissors

Body forward. Quick and low leg movement around inside of ball and plant foot to the side of ball.
Use outside of opposite foot to push ball past defender and into space behind. Accelerate into space
and bring arm across defender to put body between ball and the defender.

Double Scissors

Body forward. Repeat movement above a second time to throw defender off balance. Movement
should be fluid and quick.

Push & Go

Dribble at defender with ball close and under control. Push ball past defender and accelerate into
the space behind. Use inside or outside of either foot to push the ball past. Be aware of second
defender so make sure that the push past is not too far. If there is no covering defender, then push
past can be further.

Matthews

Use full body and lunge to one side to get defender off balance. Push the ball away and past the
defender using the outside of the opposite foot. Accelerate into space and place body quickly
between defender and the ball.

Maradona

Place sole of foot on top of ball and spin quickly away using the sole of the other foot. Useful in
getting out of tight spaces.

Stop and Go

Used when defender is even with attacker. Break momentum of dribble by stopping the ball with the
sole of foot and then quickly push forward with toe or laces of opposite foot (can also use same
foot). Hesitation will get defender off balance and allow attacker to accelerate away.

Cruyff

To be used when defender is even with attacker. Use body to feint in a forward direction as if to
take another touch or make a pass. Wrap foot around ball and quickly push between and through
the back standing leg. Push away with outside of standing leg and accelerate into space.

Pull Back

To be used when defender is even with attacker. Feint initially to get defender off balance. Use sole
of foot to pull ball back and then push behind standing leg and accelerate away. You can also look at
the Ronaldo variation where he simply chops the ball behind the standing leg and accelerates
away.

Inside Out

Dribble at defender with ball close and under control. Touch the ball inside towards the defender
with the inside of the foot and then very quickly take the ball away in the opposite direction and past
the defender with the outside of the same foot. Accelerate past defender into space. This can also
be reversed for an outside-in move.

Nutmeg

To be used when a defender has become square to the play and is off balance. Quickly play the ball
between the defenders legs and run around the defender to the other side and accelerate into
space.

Some 1v1 Warm Up Games:

The warm-up should last between 10-15 minutes. This prepares the players physically and mentally for the upcoming
session. Here are some simple warm-up exercises that you can use as a pre-cursor to a 1v1 session.
Warm-up 1:
Follow the Leader:
SET UP: 20x20
Players are in pairs and both have a ball. Participants take it in turns to dribble around
the area whilst their partner tries to keep up with them. On Coach command of
change, the players switch roles and the back player becomes the leader.
PROGRESSION:
Start at walk and progress to full speed.
Use one foot only, then the other.
Introduce some turns and moves that players need to use.
Remove one ball. One player tries to distance themselves from their partner. - The
player with the ball aims to dribble and stay as close to their partner as possible. On
coach command both players stop. Player with ball must pass the ball to partner to
win a point. Switch roles.

The same set up can be used for these next two exercises. Players play for 30 seconds at a time.
Warm-up 2:
Leg Goals: One player begins with the ball and their partner tries to avoid being hit by the ball. Players must attempt to
hit each other below the knee with their ball to score a point. Switch roles after 30 seconds.
Warm-up 3:
Keep Ball: One player begins with the ball. Play for 30 seconds and whoever has the ball at the end gets a point. Players
work on shielding the ball. Switch partners after each go. This is a very high intensity exercise.
Warm-up 4:
SET UP: Triangle 3 Yards between each cone.
Players take it in turns to chase each other around the triangle with their ball. A point
is gained if you tag your partner. Players swap roles every time they are tagged.
Rotate partners every 30 seconds.

Technical 1v1 Games:

These 1v1 games can be used to coach 1v1 attacking or 1v1 defending, depending on the emphasis of the session. They
should be fast-paced and competitive and should involve a lot of repetition.
There will be some basic formats that a coach can use that can be adjusted to accommodate different ages and abilities.
This portion of a session should last between 15-20 minutes and coaches should aim to keep the number of players
waiting to a minimum to encourage maximum repetition.
1. Line Soccer
2. End Zone Soccer
3. 1v1 to 1 goal
4. 1v1 to 2 goals
5. Other 1v1 variations.

1v1 Line Soccer

SET UP: 10x15
The players in yellow must attempt to dribble the ball past the red defender
and cross the opposite line. Yellow player starts with the ball at their feet
initially. If the red defender wins the ball they transition quickly to attack and
score by dribbling over the yellow end line.
PROGRESSION:
1. The attacker starts with the ball in their hands and drops it from the air to
work on their 1st touch out of the air. Player can increase difficulty by throwing
the ball higher.
2. Start play with a pass to first yellow attacker. Next player in line makes the
pass. Change the angle of the pass after a few minutes from left side, right
side behind player.
3.
Defender begins exercise with a pass. You can move the defender to
create different scenarios for attacking player.

COACHING POINTS:
Positive first touch, getting the ball out of feet
Get head up
Change direction and speed to eliminate the defender and attack the space behind them.
1v1 End Zone Soccer:
SET UP: 15x15
Defenders are stationed at the side of the square. They play the ball in and
when the attacker takes their first touch the defender tries to win the ball. The
attacker must try to get into the end zone at the bottom. 1 point if the attacker
gets into the end zone and stops the ball.
PROGRESSION:
1. Start the defender at the end zone.
2. Defender will throw the ball in so attacker controls from the air
3. The defender can apply pressure as soon as they pass the ball
4. If defender wins the ball they can turn and attack the end zone instead
COACHING POINTS:
First touch out of feet and forward
Head up and attack the space away from the defender
Use all surfaces of the feet and look to change speed and direction quickly

END-ZONE

COACHING POINTS: (defending)

Get to the attacker quickly
Slow on approaching and get low
Slow the attacker down and show them away from their target
Be around two yards away (touch tight)
Attempt to win the ball when the player shows too much of it.

1v1 to one goal

SET UP: 15x15 (size of goals depends on age group)
Red player passes the ball into the yellow attacker and defends
defend against them.
The yellow player must dribble towards goal and try to score.
PROGRESSION:
1. Defenders throw the ball to the attacker to control.
2. Defender will start from the side 10 yards away from goal.
3. Defender starts behind the attacker. Defender starts the exercise with a
pass through the attackers legs and then immediately pressures from behind.
Can also start with a ball in the air over attackers head.
COACHING POINTS:
Positive first touch towards goal.
Look to shoot as quickly as possible.
Skill to create space if necessary and then shoot as quickly as possible.
Follow shot up.
COACHING POINTS: (defending)
Get to the attacker quickly
Slow on ap
approaching and get low
Slow the attacker down and sshow
how them away from their target.
Attempt to win the ball when the player shows too much of it.
1v1 to two goals
SET UP: 15x20
The yellow player will burst into the field with a ball and attempt to get past the
red player and score on goal. The red player will try to win the ball and shoot on
the opposite goal. As soon as the ball goes dead the next yellow will go. Play for
3 minutes at a time.
PROGRESSION:
1. The attacker starts with the ball in their han
hands,
ds, throwing it in the air to
control.
2. Rotate roles and groups
3. First team to score 10 goals wins
COACHING POINTS:
First touch needs to by positive towards goal
Keep the ball close when defender approaches
Look to create space to shoot with 1v1 moves.
COACHING POINTS: (defending)
Get to the attacker quickly
Slow on approaching and get low
Slow the attacker down and sh
show
ow them away from their target
Be around two yards away (touch tight)
Attempt to win the ball when the player shows too much of it.
Transition to attack as quickly as possible if ball is won.

Other Variations:
1v1 to Gates:
SET UP: 15x15 with two small goals (3x3)and one small goal at starting position
(3x3)
Player B dribbles and tries to get past A and through one of the small goals at
the opposite side. If the defender wins the ball, they must dribble through the
attackers goal at the top. Play for 3 minutes then rotate roles.
PROGRESSION:
1. Alter the defenders starting position to apply different types of pressure. E.g.
at the side, at the top and from the corners.
2. See which team can score the most goals in 3 minutes before swapping
3. Extra points are awarded for use of a skill or move to beat defender
COACHING POINTS:
Dribbling quickly to cover ground and slow up when defender approaches
Keep the ball close
When performing a move, make sure the skill is executed about 1 yard away
from the defender
Create space by dribbling in one direction and bursting into another.
COACHING POINTS: (defending)
Get to the attacker quickly
Slow on approaching and get low
Slow the attacker down and show them away from their target
Be around two yards away (touch tight)
Attempt to win the ball when the player shows too much of it.

1v1 to Coach:
SET UP: 20x20
Coach passes a ball out into the area and the two players must compete for the
ball. The winner is whoever can get the ball back to the coach. One player
should be the attacker and the other the defender.
PROGRESSION:
1. If the attacker uses one of the moves shown they get extras points
COACHING POINTS:
Burst of speed to get to the ball
Look to get turned early to face the way you are attacking
Keep the ball close
Look to penetrate as quickly as possible once there is a passing lane open.
COACHING POINTS: (Defending)
Be patient and delay the attacker
Be touch tight to attacker so around 2 yards away

 Try to win the ball when the attacker shows too much of the ball

3 goal 1v1:
SET UP: 15x15
Players in red start with the ball and burst into the area and attempt to dribble
through one of the three goals. The yellow players attempt to block the goal so
the red player has to find a new goal to get through. Every time the ball is dead
the next players in line go. This needs to be quick fire!
PROGRESSION:
1. Make side goals higher up the field
4. The attacker starts with the ball in their hands, throwing it in the air to
control.
COACHING POINTS:
Attack quickly!
Use quick feet and changes in speed and direction
Try to protect the ball with your body
Head up to see which goal is the best to go for
COACHING POINTS: (defending)
Get to the attacker quickly
Slow on approaching and get low
Slow the attacker down and show them away from their target
Be around two yards away (touch tight)
Attempt to win the ball when the player shows too much of it.

1v1 plus GKs

SET UP: 20x20 with two goals.
The coach has all the balls and gets the players to number each player in their
team. The coach calls out a number and the player in each team that has that
numbers runs onto the field. The coach plays a ball in and the two players
compete for the ball and must try and score on opposite teams goal. Play with
no GKs with younger players.
PROGRESSION:

1. The player starting with the ball will throw it up so they control the ball from
the air
2. Award extra points for moves performed to beat opponent.

1v1 zone
SET UP: 30x20 (defending zone is10x10 which is 15 yards away from goal) As
are stationed 5 yards back from the zone
Player A dribbles into the defending zone and must get past the defender and
go 1 on 1 with the GK. The defender is restricted to the zone and cannot come
out of it. They start in the centre and only move when the attacker enters the
zone. The attacker must go through the zone to get to goal. As soon as the ball
is dead, the next pair go.
PROGRESSION:
1. Make the defending zones width smaller
2. Make the defending zones deeper (closer to goal) by adding on 5 yards.
COACHING POINTS:
Drive to the defending zone
Slow on approach
Keep ball close and look to create space in the zone as diagram shows
Use 1v1 move to beat defender
Dont push the ball too far in front as the GK will come and get the ball from
you