Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): week 2 term 2 1v1

1v1 warmup practice

Setup

• 3 mannequins (or poles/cones) in a zig-zag or triangle shape.

• Players in a line at the start cone.

• 2 mini goals at the end of the sequence for 1v1.

• Final player at the end acts as a defender.

• Space needed: 20x15m

Timing

• 10–15 mins total.

• Players rotate through all stations.

• Go for 60 seconds, quick reset, then go again.

Organisation

• Player starts with a pass and plays a one-two around mannequin 1.

• Then quickly repeats a one-two around mannequin 2.

• Final one-two around mannequin 3.

• After the final pass, the attacker drives into a 1v1 against the defender waiting near the mini goals.

• Attack finishes with a shot into either of the 2 mini goals.

• Players follow their pass, rotating through all stations (passer becomes wall-player, wall-player becomes attacker, defender rotates back to start).

Coaching Points

• Quality of pass – weight and accuracy, hit the correct foot.

• Movement after pass – quick and explosive around mannequins.

• Timing of one-twos – stay connected and sharp.

• 1v1 mentality – positive touch, pick the right moment to attack.

• Defensive shape – for the defender, low stance, delay first.

Progression

• Start unopposed – just passing and finishing.

• Add passive defender – light challenge, work on timing.

• Go fully live – 1v1 after last pass.

• Add touch limit during passing phase (e.g. 2 touches).

• Make it competitive – attacker vs defender: winner stays on.

1v1/1v1

Setup

• 2 adjacent grids (20x15m each).

• 1 mini goal in Grid A, 2 mini goals in Grid B.

• Players start on sidelines, 1 player in each grid at a time.

• Ball starts with player on sideline of Grid A, who passes into opposite side for 1v1.

Timing

• 15–20 mins total.

• 4 x 3-minute rounds (with 1 min reset/rest).

• Rotate attacking/defending roles and resting players.

Organisation

• Player on Grid A sideline passes across into opposite player to begin 1v1.

• Attacker can try to beat their man and score in 1 mini goal.

• If nothing on, they can switch play to Grid B — where their teammate waits and starts a new 1v1.

• In Grid B, the attacker has 2 mini goals to score in.

• Defenders try to win it and play out or stop the attack.

Coaching Points

• Weight and angle of pass – into the right foot or space.

• Attacking 1v1 mentality – positive first touch, change of pace.

• Decision making – when to take on, when to pass.

• Supporting angle – teammate in Grid B needs to be ready on toes.

• Defending 1v1 – stay low, force wide, time your challenge.

Progression

• Start with free play – let them get used to the switch.

• Add time limit to score after receiving – e.g. 5 seconds.

• Award extra points for individual 1v1 goals (no switch).

• Make switch-pass first-time only to increase sharpness.

• Final round: winner stays on — creates intensity and motivation.

3v3 conditioning

Setup

• Area: 25x20m grid (adjust as needed).

• 2 teams of 3 players each.

• 2 full-size or mini goals.

• 3 poles or cones set 5–8m behind each team's starting line.

• Supply of balls with coach or near halfway.

Timing

• 20 mins total.

• 90 seconds per game (or first to score).

• 6–8 rounds, rotate fresh players if needed.

• 10–15 sec recovery between rounds.

Organisation

• Teams line up on opposite ends of the field.

• On coach’s whistle, players sprint forward, loop around the pole in front of them, and immediately get into a 3v3 game.

• Play is live until a goal is scored.

• After the goal, players reset back to original positions and complete another sprint.

• Winning team from last round restarts with the ball (advantage reward).

☑️ Coaching Points

• Sharp Sprint Technique – stay low, drive with arms, explode out of turns.

• Quick Transition Focus – switch from sprint to game mode fast.

• Decision Making Under Fatigue – good choices despite tired legs.

• Defensive Shape Early – recover and organize after sprint.

• Positive Attacking Play – drive forward, commit defenders, look to finish.

Progression

• Add time limit for each possession (e.g., 15 seconds to score).

• Introduce “2-pass minimum” before a shot to encourage combination play.

• Rotate a floater or neutral to create 4v3 overloads.

• Use different sprint patterns (shuffle, backpedal, diagonal) to mix conditioning.

• Make final round winner stays on for competitive intensity.

1v2/2v2 transition game

Setup

• Area: 30x25m (or half pitch).

• One main goal with a goalkeeper at one end.

• One big goal or target zone at the opposite end for defenders to counter into.

• Players divided into attackers and defenders.

• Coach or player starts each rep with the ball.

Timing

• 20 minutes total.

  • 10 mins 1v2 phase.

  • 10 mins 2v2 phase.

• Rotate players every 3–4 reps.

Organisation

???? 1v2 Phase

• Defender starts by dribbling upfield and passing into the attacker (who’s positioned near the edge of the final third).

• As soon as the pass is played, it’s live – attacker tries to drive 1v1 toward goal.

• A second defender recovers from behind play, turning it into a 1v2.

• If defenders win the ball, they counter and attempt to score in the big goal at the opposite end.

???? 2v2 Phase

• Starts the same – defender passes into two attackers.

• Attackers begin with a brief 2v1 advantage.

• Second defender recovers and evens it up to a 2v2.

• If defenders win it, they can break out and attack the big goal on the opposite end.

Coaching Points

• Attackers:

  • Attack quickly before pressure arrives.

  • Use combination play or decisive dribbling.

  • Shoot early if space opens up.

• Defenders:

  • Recover at a good angle – not straight line chasing.

  • Delay play until support arrives.

  • Transition mindset: win and break quickly to attack big goal.

• Both:

  • Stay compact or spread out based on phase of play.

  • Communicate constantly (especially defenders).

Progression

• Add a time limit to score (e.g. 8 seconds).

• Limit defenders to 3 touches when countering – simulates real urgency.

• Allow defenders to play wide players or bounce passes off neutral players.

• Reward bonus point for attackers if they score before second defender engages.

• Rotate who starts with the ball – defenders or coach mix it up.

1v1 back to goal

Setup

• Area: 15x15 yard grid or inside the penalty box

• 1 goal with a goalkeeper (behind where the attacker starts)

• 1 goal for the defender to score in (opposite side of the field)

• 1 attacker (A)

• 1 defender (D)

• Cones or markers to outline the area and starting points for both players

Organisation

• The attacker (A) starts outside the box or at a designated point and runs into the box with their back to goal.

• The defender (D) starts slightly behind or beside the attacker, applying pressure as the attacker receives the ball.

• The attacker receives the ball with their back to goal and must then evade the defender using their skills, such as a quick turn, feint, or dribble.

• If the attacker manages to evade the defender, they will attempt to score in the goal located behind them.

• If the defender wins the ball, they will immediately counter-attack and attempt to score in the opposite goal (from the attacker’s starting position).

• Once a goal is scored or the ball goes out, reset and switch roles (attacker becomes defender and vice versa).

Timing

• Play each round for 1 minute before switching roles.

• Rotate every few minutes to ensure all players get multiple turns.

Coaching Points

• Attacker:

  • First touch: Control the ball into space, away from the defender

  • Body positioning: Stay balanced and ready to turn quickly

  • Evasion techniques: Use body fakes, quick pivots, and changes of direction to shake off the defender

  • Finishing: Focus on a calm, controlled finish after evading the defender

• Defender:

  • Pressuring without diving in: Stay tight to the attacker but don’t overcommit

  • Staying disciplined: Position yourself well to prevent the attacker from turning easily

  • Counter-attacking: Once possession is won, move quickly to transition to the opposite goal

  • Tackling: Focus on timing and choosing when to challenge the attacker

Progressions

• Add a second defender or defensive pressure from a wider angle to force the attacker into quicker decisions.

• After evading the first defender, the attacker must pass to a second player (e.g., a teammate or another neutral) before shooting to increase complexity.

• Make the attacker receive the ball with one touch to develop quicker reactions and control under pressure.

• Add limited time (e.g., 5 seconds) for the attacker to score after receiving the ball to increase urgency.