Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): 1vs1 Attack Like Messi

1vs1 Attack Like Messi

20x15yds

6 players divided in 2 teams of 3

3-4 soccer balls

Attack he defender in a 1vs1 situation and play to the waiting player on the opposite side. If the defender wins the ball s/he is to play to either side to the next player in line. The attacker having lost possession can try to win possession back before a pass is made to the waiting player.

Whomever is the passer to the opposite side joins the end of that line to attack again. The defender must win back the ball. If the defender kicks the ball out of play they must remain as the defender as in a game it would be out for a throw/kick in.

The attacker must receive the ball with their head up and on their front foot.

While moving forward the attacker must take their touch towards the defender not away. (the key is to attack the defender to freeze them onto their heels)

With their head up observe if their are any passing lanes available to play forward if not then observe how the defender is positioned.

Attack the front foot as s/he can not pivot on the front foot which gives the attacker the opportunity for one second to accelerate past the defender. A change of direction to attack the front foot increases their chances to explode. (watch the heels of the defender. If they touch the ground it is a trigger for the attacker to sprint past the slow defender).

Once the attacker has run past the defender look up to see the available pass or cut off the defender by running across their body to protect the ball.

The tactical decision is to keep their head up to see the defenders body position and the space behind them and make the important choice of which direction to accelerate past the defender. If you can not accelerate then the attacker must use a Coerver move to unbalance the defender and then explode past.