Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Term 1 / Week 2 - 1v1

Skill introduction (10 mins)

Frame

Ball manipulation and mastery in tight space; seeking opportunities to create and exploit space. Progression = invite, evade and escape pressure whilst protecting the ball and maintaining possession (as an individual, or, as part a unit).

Explanation

15 x 20 playing area. Divide players into two teams of equal numbers. All players dribble inside the area unopposed as coach challenges them to complete various ball mastery skills. During certain skills, coach holds up pink cone / blue cone / both cones and players must call out the correct response whilst completing skills.

Ball mastery skills

1. Dynamic toe taps.

2. Sole rolls.

3. V push:

4. Scissors: circles / take on the move.

5. Cruyff: both feet / arm up / exaggerate hip rotation.

6. L turn: both feet / outside push away / check shoulders before turning.

7. Inside and outside cuts.

Progression

1. Remove two balls from each team. Two teams compete against one another to win possession of more balls than the opposition; players without a ball must steal one from an opposition player and keep it. After a set time has elapsed, whichever team has all of its players in possession of a ball wins a point.

NB - if a tackling player kicks the ball out, it is given back to the player originally in possession. Also, team mates can work together to keep possession.

2. Remove more soccer balls.

3. Introduce safety players at each opposite ends i.e. two blue and two orange. 

Coaching Points

+ awareness of ball, space and opposition.

+ check shoulders, and communicate with team mates to keep the ball. 

+ plenty of soft touches, close control.

+ accelerate quickly into space.

+ use of body to protect the ball - balance and a strong structure is important.

+ when shielding, use the furthest foot away from pressure to manipulate the ball.

+ when shielding, actively scan and check for opportunities to escape pressure by dribbling or passing to a team mate in more space.

Skill training (15 mins)

Frame

Problem solving in 1v1 situations: how to create and exploit space behind a pressing defender.

Explanation

10 x 15 area. In groups of four, players set up as two outside the area and two inside the area, one plays as a DEF, one plays as an ATK. The ATK must dribble, in control, over the end line to score a point. Players outside the area provide support to the ATK in the middle. Outside players can set up on any line of the area except for the blue end line. If DEF wins the ball and completes a pass to an outside player, roles reverse for players inside the area. Play for 1-2 minutes; points awarded for each successful completion. After 2 minutes, outside players swap with inside players.

Progression

See next diagram and explanation.

Coaching Points

+ Initial move to make space; check away from the defender.

+ technique of receiving the ball on the half turn to go forward if possible.

+ technique of shielding the ball and keeping possession; don’t give the ball away cheaply.

+ communication: clear & concise to let player in possession know that support is available.

+ don't force play; be patient and circulate the ball until opportunities arise to exploit space.

+ use of body to protect the ball - balance and a strong structure is important.

+ when shielding, use the furthest foot away from pressure to manipulate the ball.

+ when shielding, actively scan and check for opportunities to escape pressure by dribbling or passing to a team mate in more space.

Tactical component (20 mins)

Frame

Speed of thought & play when playing out from the back (3v2) opposed. 

Explanation

Two thirds of a 5-aside pitch with three goals; two bazooka goals at one end for the ATK team to score into / one large goal and GK (coach) at the opposite end for the DEF team to counter-attack and score. 3v2: ATK team set-up as GK-2-1. GK plays a ball to an ATK player to initiate an attack. Ensure that both teams are afforded the opportunity to plays as ATKs and DEFs.

Progression

4v3: ATK team set-up as GK-1-2-1. GK plays a ball to an ATK player to initiate an attack.

NB: if competent, extend the defensive zone to the full two-thirds to challenge players to play out from the back with game realistic pressure.

Coaching Points

Do you have space ahead to exploit? If Yes:

+ positive attitude to attack space ahead quickly.

+ first touch out of feet and in the direction you intend to go.

+ head up to check support from team mates.

+ cues / triggers to exploit space e.g. defender positioned poorly, all weight on one foot.

+ decision-making at appropriate time: dribble - can I commit an opponent 1v1?use feints, changes of direction & stop/starts / pass - can I commit a defender before playing a pass?

+ support play in front of, behind and around the ball carrier.

Do you have space ahead of you to exploit? If No:

+ dribble to switch play or switch play to allow others to dribble i.e. if one player can't dribble because more than one opponent is in front of them, encourage them to switch play to a team-mate who can dribble forward.