Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Developing 1v1 skills - practice

Description

This session is designed to improve players ability in 1v1 situatiuons and their understanding of when to go 1v1 in different scenarios. It can be adapted to different age groups, I have delivered it to U12 and U18s.

Organisation (Practice Layout & Transition)

• 12 players in two teams of six (A and B)
• Playing area is 20 x 35m 
• Four gates are placed in the middle of each side
• Teams set up as shown in screen 1, with defenders opposing each gate
• Team A will always dribble across the pitch and Team B will always dribble up and down to create different 1v1 scenarios
• Each team should dribble to the gate opposite them and attempt to pass the ball ot the teammate waiting at the gate, as shown in screen 2
• If a defender wins the ball, they can dribble to their teammate waiting at the gate, as shown in screen 2. This means team B has control of 3 out of 4 footballs in play
• If a ball goes out of play the coach will serve to the player that did not kick the ball out of play
• The team with most footballs under their control at the end of the period wins
• After each period, switch the teams order of dribbling so everyone experiences same scenarios

• dribbling up and down will require more side to side techniques due to the space limitations, while dribbling accross the area will allow for more speed and RWB techniques due to larger area
• Scanning and knowing your surroundings is important in this practice
• Quick decision making is part of the practice, as players need to identify the free player and come up with a solution to pass the ball
• A period lasts for 2 mins and the practice should be consisting of 6 periods
•