Warm-up: 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 an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Several players, with a ball each, start around the outside of the area, while players inside it are paired up. In the pairs, one player starts as the attacker and one as the defender.

HOW TO play

The attackers in the middle of the area move around to find an outside player to receive the ball from and bounce it back, either one or two-touch. 

The defenders aim to remain within touching distance of their partner, but are not permitted to tackle. 
Swap roles after one minute and ensure outside players get a turn in the middle.

progressions & ADAPTATIONS

Half of the outside players no longer need a ball. Attackers must now receive a pass, turn and find a spare outside player to pass to.

COACHING POINTS

• Encourage attacking players to lose their markers through change of speed/direction/feints.
• Attacking players should receive on an angle and not directly in front of the passer.
• Use deception to beat the defender as necessary – drop of shoulder, skills, etc.