Practice: Dominate in 1v1s

WHY USE IT

This three-part session develops players’ 1v1 skills and confidence, encouraging them to create space to receive the ball under pressure from a defender. The nature of the session allows players to experience pressure from behind, to the side and from the front.

Set-up

Mark out several areas relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Each area will have four players – one at each end and two (an attacker and a defender) in the middle.

HOW TO play

The attacker in the middle of the area aims to receive from one end player and transfer the ball to the other end player for a point. They can bounce back to the passer to keep possession, but don’t gain a point for doing so. 

If the defender wins the ball and successfully plays to an outside player, they become the attacker. 
Play one-minute rounds, after which the inside and outside players switch roles.

progressions & ADAPTATIONS

Attackers can no longer bounce back to an outside player, so they must find a way to stay on the ball and beat the defender to transfer the ball to the other end.

COACHING POINTS

• Movement to receive: Stay out of the defender’s eyeline, move when defender looks at the ball.
• Open shoulders to receive.
• Hide ball from defender, before revealing and manoeuvring it to beat them.