Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 26: Shielding the Ball with Your Back to Goal

3 complete training sessions with 12 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

If the attacker does not manage to get far enough away from his opponent, he often has to receive the ball with his back to goal. This is an unfavourable starting position for the attacker, because …

  • … he cannot see what the defender behind him is doing and can therefore only turn towards the direction of play or win a 1 vs 1 with difficulty.
  • … he cannot see the direction of play. This makes playing forward more difficult, which often leaves only a back pass or a 1 vs 1 as possible options.

Nevertheless, there are pointers for winning the attacking 1 vs 1 with a defender at your back:

  • Control the pass with the foot furthest from the opponent and stay side-on to the defender if possible. This keeps the distance between ball and opponent greater.
  • Defender marks very tightly: spin into him with the foot furthest from the opponent
  • Defender keeps a big distance: turn in front of him and go into a head-on 1 vs 1
  • Defender keeps an arm's length away: wrong-foot the opponent with a feint and turn to one side. Alternatively, the attacker can briefly move away backwards from the opponent and then turn in front of him.

If the attacker's aim is simply to shield the ball, it is important that he stays in the side-on position mentioned. He should also hold his position if possible and not dribble backwards. To increase the distance to the defender even further, the defender can also be blocked with the forearm.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

The training focus, the attacking 1 vs 1 with your back to goal, is looked at today specifically in the duel between centre-back and attacker. The attacker needs to be alert even before the pass, because as a rule they are marked with overlapping cover, which allows the centre-back to intercept passes.

The attacker therefore has to get away from the defender with a running feint before the pass. If the attacker gains enough distance from the defender, the ball may even be received in an open body position. What matters, however, is that the passer then gives the call “Turn!”. Alternatively, the striker can also make body contact with the defender before the pass, which makes it hard for the defender to get in front of the attacker.

When the pass then comes, the ball is controlled with the foot furthest from the opponent. The attacker can now hold on to the ball until options for a pass open up, or take on the centre-back in a 1 vs 1 themselves.

Coaching points for this session

Attacking 1 vs 1 with your back to goal:

  • Defender marks very tightly: turn into them with the foot furthest from the opponent
  • Defender stands off a long way: turn in front of them and go into the head-on 1 vs 1
  • Defender keeps approx. an arm's length away turn in front of them and go into the head-on 1 vs 1
  • Defender keeps approx. an arm's length away: send the opponent the wrong way with a feint and turn to one side. Alternatively, the attacker can also briefly drop away from the opponent and turn in front of them again.
  • Especially as a striker, you do not have to beat the defender close to goal. A quick body feint and an explosive burst of pace are often enough to get into a finishing position
Drill 1

Feint Star

15 min
  • The player dribbles head-on at the pole in the middle and performs a feint.
  • Then the player dribbles at a cone and performs a turning technique there.
  • After that the player dribbles at the pole again, and the sequence starts again from the beginning.

Variations:

  • Specify the order of the colours.
  • Specify particular feints for the cone colours.
  • Later give the players' creativity room and let them choose the feints themselves.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: A pole stands in the middle, around it five cones in different colours are spread out in a star shape.

Equipment: 1 pole, 5 cones in different colours and 1 ball.

Players: One player with a ball.

Coaching points
  • Cut sharply.
  • Perform a change of pace after the feints.
  • Shift the centre of gravity sufficiently.
  • Perform the feints with both feet.
Drill 2

Attack Through the Centre - Attacker with Back to Goal

20 min
  • The number ten dribbles forward; the number nine stands with the back to goal.
  • The number nine performs a preparatory movement and demands the ball.
  • With the pass, a 1 vs 1 starts between the striker and the centre-back.
  • After winning the ball, the centre-back can counter-attack on the mini goals.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: One goal plus two mini goals for the counter-attacks.

Equipment: 1 goal, 2 mini goals and several balls.

Players: One goalkeeper, one centre-back, one striker (number nine) and one midfielder (number ten).

Coaching points
  • Watch for a clean preparatory movement — the feint before the sprint.
  • Demand a quick break away from the defender and use of the body.
  • Demand a quick turn towards goal.
  • Start explosively into the 1 vs 1.
  • Look for the finish.
Drill 3

Attack Through the Centre at/in the Penalty Area | Attacker with Back to Goal 2 vs 2

20 min
  • The number ten dribbles forward; the number nine stands with the back to goal.
  • The number nine performs a preparatory movement and demands the ball.
  • This starts a 2 vs 2: the number ten and the striker against the two centre-backs.
  • On winning the ball, the defenders counter-attack quickly on the mini goals.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the pitch; plus one goal and two mini goals for the counter-attacks.

Equipment: 1 goal, 2 mini goals, cones and several balls.

Players: One goalkeeper, two centre-backs, one striker (number nine) and one midfielder (number ten).

Coaching points
  • Watch for a clean preparatory movement — the feint before the sprint.
  • Demand a quick break away from the defender and use of the body.
  • Demand a quick turn towards goal.
  • Start explosively into the 1 vs 1.
  • Look for the finish.
  • Demand clear calls — turn and lay off.
Drill 4

Earning the Right to Attack

25 min
  • The game is played freely 4 vs 4.
  • A team earns the right to attack both goals when a team-mate is passed to in one of the end zones.
  • This right to attack remains in place until the other team has combined successfully into the end zone.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area and the two end zones; two goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two groups of four; in addition goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Control the ball with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • Get to a finish quickly.
  • Hold the ball up and lay it off.
The complete session as a ready-made training plan – with animated drills in the web app. Go to the web app

Session 2

4 drills

The aim of the 2nd training session on the attacking 1 vs 1 with their back to goal is to learn to hold on to the ball against an opponent behind.

Holding on to the ball is needed above all when a first-time lay-off after a forward pass is not possible. The player in possession therefore tries to shield the ball until a passing option opens up. Holding the ball up is also needed when the pass is hard to lay off first time and accurately to a team-mate. For example, because the pass was played very firmly or is not along the ground. In this case the ball has to be controlled with an opponent behind, so that it can then be played on with the 2nd touch.

Body contact with the opponent should be made even before the pass, so that the opponent is not able to intercept it. In addition, the player should not come too far towards the ball, so as to receive it as far forward as possible.

When the pass comes, it should be controlled in a side-on position with the foot furthest from the opponent. While then holding on to the ball, the forearm can also be used to help keep the opponent as far away from the ball as possible.

If the defender attacks very tightly while the ball is being held, or even tries to win the ball round one side, it naturally makes sense to take on the 1 vs 1. To do this, the player in possession has to turn into the opponent and carry the ball with the foot furthest from the opponent.

Coaching points for this session
  • Look for body contact before the pass
  • Do not come towards the passer further than necessary
  • Control the ball in a side-on position and with the foot furthest from the opponent
  • Defender gets very tight: turn into them & carry the ball past with the foot furthest from the opponent.
Drill 1

1 vs 1 | Keeping Possession

20 min20 x 20 metres

Exercise 1

  • Practise passing as well as the first touch and taking the ball in stride — laying the ball off, turning and the like.

Exercise 2

  • The player in possession tries to shield the ball and defend it against the partner.
  • If the defender wins the ball, the defender then has to keep it.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area.

Equipment: Cones and 1 ball per pair.

Players: The players form pairs.

Coaching points
  • Control the ball with the foot furthest from the opponent.
Drill 2

Station Training: Station Sprints

20 min

The following tasks are carried out at the stations:

  • Sideways over the cones, volley back with the side of the foot
  • Press-ups with one hand on the ball
  • Sit-ups with a header on every repetition
  • Forward and backward runs, volley back with the instep
  • Ground passing with a first touch on the left and a return pass with the right
  • Heading

On the coach's command all players break off their task and sprint to the far cone in line with them.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six stations with 13 cones and three hurdles.

Equipment: 13 cones, 3 hurdles and several balls.

Players: The players are spread across the stations.

Drill 3

1 vs 1 with a Defender Behind

20 minAdjust according to the ability level.

Midfielder M plays the ball towards attacker A. Player A sprints towards the ball and receives it. At the same time defender V sprints towards A in order to get into a position behind A.

Player A then tries to get past player V with feints and to finish. If player V wins the ball, player V scores a goal by dribbling through one of the two cone goals.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Set up as shown in the graphic. A row of cones marks the halfway line of the playing area and forms two cone goals there.

Equipment: 1 goal, 4 cones, 4 tall cones, several balls.

Players: Three groups — attackers, defenders and midfielders — plus a goalkeeper in the goal.

Coaching points
  • Start explosively towards the ball in order to get as far away from player V as possible.
  • This often makes it possible to take the ball with an open body position towards the direction of play.
  • Only start the feint when player V goes into the challenge.
Drill 4

Overload Game with Zones

25 min
  • In the outer zones two defenders play against one striker, in the middle zone it is played 2 vs 2.
  • The players try to play into the next zone.
  • If this works, one player of the team in possession pushes up from the previous zone into the next zone.
  • The ball can also be played straight into the final zone; in that case one player from the middle zone moves up immediately.
  • The players of the defending team stay in their zone.

Variations: The team in possession plays with an underload in the zones.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area, which is divided into three equally sized zones; there are two goals at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams with equal numbers; plus goalkeepers. In the outer zones there are two defenders and one striker each, in the middle zone two players per team.

Coaching points
  • Use the overload to combine quickly.
  • Use the overload to make the game wide and make the opponents run.

Session 3

4 drills

The last session on the attacking 1 vs 1 with an opponent behind starts with a warm-up on feints. The players should particularly use feints that can be used effectively when the player in possession has their back to goal. Suitable examples are a scissors or a lunge.

This is followed by 1 vs 1 within a small area, with 2 target players per team. The aim is to move the ball between the target players. The feints trained in Exercise 1 are excellent for opening up a passing lane. It is also important, however, that the target players constantly move out of the cover shadow of the opposing outfield player.

The 3rd exercise is then 2 vs 2 with a clear direction of play. Here the aim is to beat the opponent behind in order to finish on one of the two mini goals. Alternatively, clever movement to get free can also allow the striker to receive the ball in an open body position.

To finish, 8 vs 8 is played on one half of the pitch.

Coaching points for this session
  • Control the ball with the foot furthest from the opponent
  • When feinting, shift the centre of gravity sufficiently
  • After the feint, make a change of pace
  • Turn with the foot furthest from the opponent
Drill 1

Feint Circuit

15 min
  • The four players in the area dribble and perform all the feints they know.
  • After three to four feints they pass the ball to a player outside the area.
  • Then they line up at the cone, and the outside players dribble into the area.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark the outside positions.

Equipment: With eight players, 4 cones and 4 balls.

Players: Four players dribble in the area, four stand outside at the cones.

Coaching points
  • Start the drill at an easy pace and increase the tempo steadily.
  • Perform the feints with the whole body in order to deceive the opponent.
Drill 2

1 vs 1 in a Space with Support Players

20 min15 x 15 metres
  • Inside the playing area it is played 1 vs 1.
  • The aim is to move the ball between the two support players.
  • The support players are not allowed to pass to each other.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark the corners of a rectangular playing area.

Equipment: 4 cones and several balls.

Players: Two groups of three, each with their own bib colour. From each group one player plays the 1 vs 1 inside the playing area, the other two stand outside the playing area as support players on their team's sides.

Coaching points
  • Take the ball with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • Use feints to open up the passing lane to a support player.
  • Move out of the cover shadow.
Drill 3

Twice 1 vs 1

20 minDepending on the ability level
  • The players must stay in their half.
  • They try to play a pass to their team-mate on the other side in order to get a shot at goal.
  • The finish is on the goals assigned to the team — in the graphic green attacks the two lower goals.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area and the halfway line; there are four mini goals at the ends, two per team.

Equipment: 4 mini goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Groups of two. One player per team operates in each half of the playing area.

Coaching points
  • Perform a clean preparatory movement as a starting feint.
  • Get away from the defender quickly.
  • Use the body.
  • Turn towards the goal quickly.
  • Look for the finish promptly.
  • Demand clear calls, for example "turn" and "lay-off".
Drill 4

Small-Sided Game 2: 8 vs 8 + Goalkeepers in One Half of the Pitch to 2 Goals

30 minHalf a pitch
  • The two teams play against each other — with offside and without a limit on touches.
  • The team in possession tries to create a finish.
  • The other team disrupts the build-up early with pressing and tries to win the ball and to finish in the dangerous area itself.
  • One team continues to play with one striker in the basic shape.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: In one half of the pitch, a halfway line and a goal line are marked out with cones. There is one goal on the goal line and one on the halfway line.

Equipment: 5 cones and 2 full-size goals.

Players: Two teams of eight are formed. There is a goalkeeper in each goal.

Coaching points
  • On winning the ball, switch immediately from defence to attack and first control the ball securely.
  • The defenders force the attacker on the ball into the area away from goal, double up on that player or tuck in to block the passing lane to the goal and to team-mates.
  • In attack, a staggered shape in depth is kept; moving on one line is avoided. The wide players stand on the touchline and use the width.
  • Passes in behind bring the defensive line into a forward movement; switching to the flanks forces it to shift across and opens up spaces for the diagonal ball into the side that has been vacated.
  • Triangles are formed again and again in order to create passing options.
  • Getting stuck in a tight space is avoided; switches of play and passes in behind are played regularly.
Your training. Your web app.

Get the complete training plans in the web app

  • All 52 weeks, up to three sessions per week
  • More than 3,000 drills – many of them animated
  • Build your own training plans & share them with your team
Start for free

No subscription, no credit card. Sign up in 1 minute.