Annual training plan · U14–U23

Week 3: Attacking 1 vs 1 Training

4 complete training sessions with 16 drills – created by licensed coaches. Open every drill in the easy2coach web app with one click.

This week’s focus

Now that a good technical foundation has been laid for the season, the next 4 weeks are about the basics of individual and group tactics.

This training week starts with the attacking 1 vs 1. Over a total of 4 sessions, besides the duel between two players in the centre, players also work on situations with an opponent at their back and on the wing.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

Today's training session focuses on the attacking 1 vs 1 in the centre. In preparation for this focus, the warm-up works on dribbling and feinting without pressure from opponents.

After that, it is on to the head-to-head duels. While Exercise 2 is still about keeping the ball, Exercise 3 aims to beat an opponent.

To finish, a small-sided game once again works on the 1 vs 1 in a very match-like way.

Coaching points for this session
  • Beat the opponent with an explosive change of pace
  • When feinting, shift the centre of gravity sufficiently
  • Cut across the opponent's path
Drill 1

Feinting and Passing

20 min

Exercise 1

  • Two players start at the same time, dribble towards the three cones and perform a feint.
  • They then pass to the team-mate on the opposite side and join the queue there.
  • The player receiving the pass also sets off dribbling.

Exercise 2

  • On the coach's signal, Player A passes through the cone goals to Player B.
  • Player B takes the ball past the right-hand cone in the stride and dribbles to the group on the opposite side.
  • The next pass then comes from the other starting position.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Seven cones as shown in the graphic.

Equipment: 7 cones and several balls.

Players: The players are divided into two equally sized groups and positioned at the starting cones.

Coaching points
  • When feinting, shift the centre of gravity clearly.
  • Go past the cones with a clear change of pace.
  • Start the feint in good time.
Drill 2

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 3

Duel | 1 vs 1

20 min20 x 20 metres
  • The coach plays a ball to the player standing further away, who controls it and takes it in the stride.
  • The player standing opposite moves into the playing area and becomes the defender.
  • The attacker tries to finish on the opposing goal.
  • If the defender wins the ball, the defender finishes on the defender's goal.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Poles or cones mark out the playing area; two mini goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 mini goals, poles or cones and several balls with the coach.

Players: Two players face each other.

Coaching points
  • Dribble past the defender with a feint and an explosive change of pace.
  • Start the feint in good time.
  • When feinting, shift the centre of gravity sufficiently.
Drill 4

1 vs 1 up to 4 vs 4

25 min30 x 20 metres
  • Every game starts with a 1 vs 1.
  • The task is to dribble through a goal on the opposite side or to pass along the ground through it.
  • After a goal or after the ball goes out over the goal line or the touchline, one more player from each team moves into the playing area — making it 2 vs 2, 3 vs 3 and finally 4 vs 4.
  • To do so, the new player of the team entitled to the ball dribbles in.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; eight tall cones form four goals.

Equipment: 8 tall cones, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of four players each.

Coaching points
  • Look for the 1 vs 1 bravely.
  • Get past the opponent with a change of pace and a feint.
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Session 2

4 drills

If an attacker does not manage to get far enough away from their opponent, this often leads to a 1 vs 1 with a defender on their back. The attacker's next step depends heavily on the opposing defender's behaviour here.

If the defender acts very aggressively and even tries to win the ball from one side, the attacker has an easy job. In this case the attacker simply has to roll the defender.

If, on the other hand, the defender acts very passively and leaves too much distance, the attacker can turn quickly and move into a head-on 1 vs 1.

But if the defender chooses exactly the right distance, clever feinting is needed to create free space.

Coaching points for this session
  • Take up a side-on position
  • Standing foot between ball and opponent
  • Fake a breakthrough with a feint
  • Get free with a change of direction
  • Send the opponent the wrong way with a feint
  • Opponent too tight: roll them
  • Opponent too far away: turn in front of them
Drill 1

First Touch and Turning

20 min
  • Player A passes to Player B1.
  • Player B1 controls the ball and plays it to Player C1.
  • Player C1 dribbles back to the starting point.
  • The next ball is played out to Player B2 and passed on to Player C2.
  • The players follow their pass and take up the next position.

Requirements:

  • Player B1 is played into the left foot: first touch with the left, turning with the right foot in order to be able to play to Player C1.
  • Player B2 is played into the right foot: first touch with the right, turning with the left foot in order then to pass to Player C2 with the left.

Progression: As the drill goes on, or depending on the standard of play, play passes with more power, speed up the changes of position and additionally have Players B and C play a one-two.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones form a square, with another cone in the middle.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: The players at positions A, B1, B2, C1 and C2.

Coaching points
  • Accuracy of the pass comes before power of the pass.
  • Pay particular attention to playing the ball into the correct foot, to the correct first touch and to the correct turn.
  • Before the pass, seek body contact with the opponent or move towards the ball after a running feint.
  • Perform a feint before turning.
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

4 vs 4 Man-Marking

25 min
  • The game is 4 vs 4 with two goalkeepers on two goals.
  • Because the drill targets endurance, it is played with fixed assigned opponents.
  • The pairs — for example A1 against A2 — essentially play a 1 vs 1, since they may only be challenged by the player assigned to them. This creates a lot of movement.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; two goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of four plus two goalkeepers. Each player is assigned a fixed opponent.

Coaching points
  • Demand a high tempo, especially towards the end of the drill.
  • The players should get to the finish quickly.

Session 3

4 drills

Because defending focuses strongly on the centre, a lot of space opens up on the flanks. The ideal conditions for boldly seeking the 1 vs 1 there.

Especially at a high level, you can see repeated attempts to isolate wingers in 1 vs 1 situations on the flanks. It is no coincidence that the players who are fastest off the mark and the strongest dribblers usually play on the flanks.

If a player brings these qualities and pays attention to a few individual tactical details, they are very hard to stop in a head-on 1 vs 1 on the wing.

It is particularly important to dribble straight at the opponent. This makes it hard to predict whether a winger will cut into the centre or break through on the outside.

Coaching points for this session
  • Dribble straight at the opponent
  • Watch the defender's behaviour
  • Go past the defender with a change of pace and a feint
Drill 1

Dribbling with Change of Direction

15 min

The players dribble towards the cones, which represent opponents, and perform a cutting technique. Examples:

  • Inside of the foot
  • Outside of the foot
  • Sole drag
  • Dragging the ball behind the standing leg
  • Zidane roulette
  • Heel chop

After the last cone, the players dribble towards the two yellow cones and perform a turning movement. Examples:

  • Sole drag
  • Cutting
  • Dragging the ball behind the standing leg
  • Deco turn
  • Shot or pass feint with a change of direction

The ball is then passed back down to the team-mate, who continues the drill.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Seven cones in two colours.

Equipment: 7 cones and several balls.

Coaching points
  • Start the feints in good time.
  • Cut with a change of pace.
  • Shift the centre of gravity.
Drill 2

1 vs 1 on the Wing from Long Distance

20 min
  • Player A plays a lofted ball to Player B.
  • At the same time this is the signal for Player C to run towards Player B and close Player B down.
  • Player B has to take the ball perfectly and control it in order to be able to go into the 1 vs 1 at speed.
  • The attacker's aim is to finish on goal.
  • If the defender gets to the ball, the defender can counter towards the halfway line.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Three cones and one goal.

Equipment: 3 cones, 1 goal and at least 1 ball.

Players: Players A, B and C.

Coaching points
  • The defender has to close down the distance to the attacker quickly and block the inside lane, so that no chance to finish opens up for the attacker.
  • Because of the lofted ball the attacker has little time for the first touch and for taking the ball in stride, and therefore has to go past the defender explosively.
  • Ideally the attacker uses feints to beat the defender.
Drill 3

Attacking Actions on the Wing

20 min
  • After a pass out of the centre, a 3 vs 2 is played on the wing.
  • The aim is to get over the back line of the zone and to play a low or high cross into the penalty area, which the player who made the pass finishes.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the wing zone; plus one goal.

Equipment: 4 cones, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: The players are divided into 4 vs 2.

Coaching points
  • Use the numerical advantage on the wing to create width and to dribble quickly.
  • The defenders work in the space and step in at the right moment.
Drill 4

Playing Down the Wings | Pass into the Striker

30 min
  • The attacking team plays freely, with the restriction that the goal first has to be unlocked before a finish is allowed.
  • To do so, the team must either dribble through one of the two dribbling goals or play a pass into the striker through the yellow passing gate to a team-mate.
  • If the defending team wins the ball, it must dribble through one of the red dribbling goals on the halfway line or play a pass through the yellow passing gate to a team-mate. If this succeeds, the roles are swapped.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eight red and four yellow cones. Two wing zones are marked out on the wings, with cone goals on the halfway line and in the middle of the pitch.

Equipment: 12 cones, several balls and 1 full-size goal.

Players: Two teams plus goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Demand a high intensity.
  • Provoke many 1 vs 1 situations.
  • Demand quick transitions.

Session 4

4 drills

To start the last training sessions, feinting is worked on again to prepare the players for the training focus of the attacking 1 vs 1. In Exercise 2 the attacker's behaviour is then trained for when the defender comes from the side.

To finish, play then moves from 1 vs 1 up to 7 vs 7, so that the players can once again apply this week's training content in a match-like way.

Coaching points for this session
  • Cut across the opponent's path
  • After winning the 1 vs 1, give the defender no 2nd chance – keep the pace high or look for a follow-up action quickly
  • Start feints in good time
  • Go past the opponent with a change of pace
Drill 1

Coordinated Feinting

15 min
  • The players dribble towards each other.
  • Just before the halfway line they perform a feint and go past the player opposite.
  • At the other starting line they turn round and repeat the sequence.

Note: Both players run the ball with the same foot and perform the feint to the same side, otherwise there will be a collision in the middle.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area and the halfway line.

Equipment: Cones and one ball per player.

Players: Pairs standing opposite each other with a ball.

Coaching points
  • Demand an explosive movement during the feint.
  • Keep the head up in order to coordinate with the partner.
Drill 2

1 vs 1 Opponent Comes from the Side

15 min
  • On command both players start around their left side.
  • As soon as Player A reaches the first cone, the ball comes from the coach.
  • Player A tries to dribble through one of the dribbling goals.
  • Player B tries to win the ball and dribble it over the goal line opposite.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area and the dribbling goals.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: Pairs made up of Players A and B; they stand diagonally on one side of the area.

Coaching points
  • Dribble away from the opponent in order to break through directly.
  • Alternatively force the opponent into a high speed and then cut against the opponent's running direction.
Drill 3

1 vs 1 After Activation

20 min
  • The coach plays or throws the ball roughly into the middle of the playing area.
  • One player each from Red and Blue starts towards the ball.
  • The players may only score a goal once they have dribbled through one of the four yellow cone goals.
  • The finish is on the two goals that are further away from their own starting position.

Variations: It can also be played 2 vs 2.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eight yellow cones form four cone goals about two metres wide; plus four mini goals.

Equipment: 4 mini goals, 8 cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams — Red and Blue — waiting at opposite starting positions.

Coaching points
  • Dribble with the foot furthest from the opponent.
  • Use feints and changes of pace to get away from the opponent.
  • Keep the ball close.
  • Get to the finish promptly.
Drill 4

1 vs 1 up to 7 vs 7

25 minHalf a pitch
  • The coach determines a duel format — from 1 vs 1 through 4 vs 4 up to 7 vs 7.
  • The two teams play against each other in this format.
  • The players change over on their own.
  • Play continues in each case until a goal is scored.
  • The team that scores a goal keeps possession in the next duel format.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area; at the ends there are two goals.

Equipment: 2 goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams; in addition goalkeepers.

Coaching points
  • Demand an active dribble into the 1 vs 1.
  • Demand feints.
  • Pay attention to communication at the start of the duels.
More on this topic 1v1 duels · 2 ready-made sessions View sessions →
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