Annual training plan · U9–U13

Week 32: Defending 1 vs 1 for Kids

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

When to use: winter preparation

These sessions are ideal for U8/U9, U10/U11 and U12/U13 teams.

The last week of the preparation for the second half of the season trains defending 1 vs 1. The main aim will be to get players to defend actively rather than just react to what the opponent does. But how do you explain to your players in detail what active defending looks like in practice? (Using a head-on 1 vs 1 as the example)

  • We want to keep the distance to our own goal as large as possible and give the opponent no time to pick up speed. That is why we move towards the attacker on the ball immediately. But we slow down in time, engage the opponent and slow his dribble by dropping back slowly. Because if we do not adjust our speed in time, our opponent will simply run past us.
  • Once we have engaged the attacker, we get into an ideal position for the 1 vs 1. This means we show the opponent one side to break through and take up a side-on stance. We show the opponent the outside or the route with his “weaker” foot. We also stay on the front foot and lower our centre of gravity by bending our knees and hips slightly. Thanks to the side-on stance, the low centre of gravity and staying on the front of our feet, we can go after the ball as quickly as possible if the opponent tries to break through.
  • Now we are ready to win the ball! When the opponent tries to break through, it is important that we get our body between the ball and the opponent. This means we defend with the whole body and push our opponent off the ball to win it.

Author Luis Österlein

Session 1

4 drills

When training head-on defending 1 vs 1, you can fundamentally change the demands through the way you design the drill. If, for example, you choose a very large area, fast players can push the ball further ahead in order to get round the defender. As a result, the defender has to act more cautiously and must not push up too close to the attacker, because the advantage in speed has to be offset.

If, on the other hand, you choose a fairly small area, speed cannot be exploited as well. Instead, use of the body, feinting and close control become more important. The defender can now push up closer to the attacker in order to put them under pressure. At the same time, however, the defender must not fall for feints, which can happen when defending too aggressively.

Another way of varying the 1 vs 1 is the distance between attacker and defender. If a short distance is chosen, the attacker cannot pick up speed and the defender can push up close to the attacker. If, on the other hand, a large distance between the two players is set, the defender has to prepare the duel better. First of all, the defender has to set off quickly towards the opponent so that the distance to their own goal is kept large. As the attacker has already been able to pick up some speed, the defender has to adjust their speed in time. In addition, the defender cannot simply come to a standstill now, but is forced to take the pace out of the attacker. This is achieved by dropping back.

Coaching points for this session
  • Keep getting free from the opponent or out of their cover shadow
  • Use running feints, changes of pace and direction to get free
  • Pass & move (with a change of pace)
  • Show availability/ call for the ball verbally
Drill 1

Running & Tag Games

15 min18 x 12 metres
  • On the coach's command, all the players on one side try to get past the catchers and over the other end line.
  • Three to four series are played; the evaluation is which pair of catchers catches the most players.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones mark out the playing area, four more mark a three-metre-wide zone in the middle.

Equipment: 8 cones.

Players: Two players are designated as catchers and positioned at the central zone; the remaining players line up in equal numbers on the two end lines.

Coaching points
  • Use body feints to escape the catchers.
Drill 2

1 vs 1 Tournament Format

25 min
  • Play is 1 vs 1 within the marked areas.
  • Each round lasts about two to three minutes.
  • The winner of each round moves up one division, the loser moves down one.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out several areas side by side, poles form the goals. Each area is assigned a division.

Equipment: Poles, cones and several balls.

Players: Pairs who compete against each other in a 1 vs 1.

Drill 3

Colour Sprint with a Shot at Goal

15 minHalf a pitch
  • The coach calls out a colour combination of two to four colours.
  • The first player of each group sprints through the slalom poles.
  • At the sprint they touch the cones in the order given.
  • The coach then plays the ball in and the players finish.
  • After the sprint both jog back at an easy pace to their starting position.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Eight poles form two slalom runs, eight cones in four colours stand behind them; a goal stands at the end. The balls are with the coach.

Equipment: 8 cones in 4 colours, 8 poles, 1 goal and several balls.

Players: Two groups; plus a goalkeeper.

Coaching points
  • Carry out the drill with quality and do not rely on speed alone.
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

In the 2nd session on defending 1 vs 1, the start is devoted once again to detailed work on the basics of behaviour in duels. Above all, taking up the side-on position with a low centre of gravity should be internalised further.

In Exercises 2 and 3, work is also done on the secondary focus of speed. In Exercise 2, however, it is not just quick feet that are needed, but also a quick mind.

Exercise 3 then combines athleticism and behaviour in defending 1 vs 1. In this drill, the players get a good feel for the right timing in duels. The players will repeatedly face the dilemma of whether to adjust their speed in time or to go at full speed all the way to the ball. If a player goes in at full speed and the opponent is still slightly faster, the opponent can simply knock the ball past them and is through.

To finish the session, you can coach defending 1 vs 1 once again in a more match-realistic way in a 3 vs 3. However, do not just coach behaviour in defending 1 vs 1, but also urge players not to switch off after losing a duel. The aim should then be to get back behind the ball quickly or to put the player on the ball under pressure again immediately.

Coaching points for this session
  • Take up a side-on position. In doing so, show the opponent onto the “weaker” foot or down the flank
  • The centre of gravity is low and the player stays on the balls of the feet, so as to be able to accelerate quickly and adjust direction
  • Keep the ball in view. Do not be fooled by the opponent's feint
  • When the opponent tries to break through, get the body between ball and opponent
  • After losing a duel, do not switch off, but go after the opponent immediately.
Drill 1

Basics of Defending 1 vs 1

15 min
  • On the coach's starting signal the attacker dribbles towards the penalty area.
  • The defender takes up a side-on position and drops back.
  • In doing so the defender does not yet try to win the ball actively, and the attacker does not try to break through.
  • Once both have reached the penalty area, they swap tasks.

Variations: On a signal from the coach the defender may win the ball actively and the attacker may try to break through.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: From the halfway line to the penalty area; no further markings.

Equipment: One ball per pair.

Players: Pairs of one attacker and one defender each. The attackers stand with a ball level with the halfway line, the defenders facing them three to four metres away.

Coaching points
  • Offer the opponent one side — the weaker foot or the dribbling route to the outside.
  • Keep the centre of gravity low.
  • Drop back and maintain the distance.
Drill 2

Tic Tac Toe 2

15 min
  • Tic tac toe is played on the cone area of three by three squares.
  • Each team receives three bibs and can assign them to the cones as they wish.
  • The aim is to get the three bibs in a row — diagonally, horizontally or vertically.
  • Before a bib may be put down, a sprint over 20 metres must be completed.

Variations: Add further obstacles along the sprint distance.

Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones form a playing area of three by three squares; in front of it lie six hurdles and two starting cones mark the beginning of the sprint distance.

Equipment: Cones, 6 hurdles and three bibs per team.

Players: Two teams.

Drill 3

Sprint and 1 vs 1 on Cone Goals

20 min
  • On the coach's start signal, the players sprint around the cones and around the mini goal.
  • A 1 vs 1 then starts inside the marked area.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Six cones mark out the area and the running paths; two mini goals stand at the ends.

Equipment: 2 mini goals, 6 cones and several balls.

Players: Pairs of players.

Coaching points
  • If the opponent is clearly quicker, adjust the pace in good time so as not to be run past.
  • Show the opponent the weak side.
  • Keep the centre of gravity low.
  • Work on the balls of the feet.
  • Keep an eye on the ball.
  • If the opponent attempts a breakthrough, push the body between the ball and the opponent.
Drill 4

3 vs 3 to Dribbling Goals

15 min15 x 20 metres or 20 x 20 metres
  • The game is played as a free 3 vs 3.
  • Goals only count if a player dribbles over the opposition's dribbling line — the red team over the right line, the green team over the left one.
  • If a team scores a dribbling goal, possession passes to the other team and a new 3 vs 3 starts.

Variations:

  • As a competition, until one team has scored 3, 5 or 10 goals.
  • With considerably more than six players, change the attacking team after every goal or mark out several playing areas and play in parallel.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four cones form the dribbling goals on the left and on the right, further cones mark out the playing area.

Equipment: Cones and at least 1 ball.

Players: At least six players, split into two teams of three.

Coaching points
  • Demand plenty of 1 vs 1 situations.
  • The goals are very wide, so switches of play create a lot of space.

Session 3

4 drills

If the opponent on the ball is playing with their back to goal, the conditions in defending 1 vs 1 are much better than if the opponent can play with an open body position. This gives the defender the following advantages:

  • The attacker cannot look in the direction of play, which means the defender does not have to reckon with a through ball.
  • The attacker cannot keep the defender's behaviour and position in view, or not continuously. As a result, the attacker can only react to the defender's actions with a delay.
  • If the attacker turns and pushes the ball ahead in the direction of play, it takes longer to pick up speed than in a head-on 1 vs 1.

But even though the starting position in defending 1 vs 1 against an opponent with their back to goal is quite good, the defender must not make the following 3 mistakes:

  • Being too tight to the attacker and making body contact with them. This tells the attacker exactly where the defender is and lets them turn into the defender. In addition, applying strong physical pressure from behind the attacker is often penalised as a foul.
  • The defender is too passive and too far away from the attacker. If the player on the ball recognises that the distance is too large, they can turn in front of the defender and move into a head-on 1 vs 1.
  • Standing square behind the attacker. Because of the square-on stance, the defender takes a long time to set off into the space behind. In addition, the attacker can now nutmeg the defender.

The right distance from the attacker is about 1 arm's length. This means the attacker cannot turn into the defender. But the distance is also too short to turn in front of the defender.

Coaching points for this session
  • Approx. 1 arm's length distance from the attacker
  • As soon as the attacker tries to turn, attack the ball
  • Centre of gravity is low
  • Position at a slight angle behind the attacker
Drill 1

Rondo 6 vs 2

15 min10 x 10 metres
  • Inside the playing area a 6 vs 2 is played for keeping possession.
  • The two inside players try to win the ball.
  • If a player of the team with the overload loses the ball, that player becomes a defender.
  • One of the two previous defenders plays on in the team with the overload instead.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark the playing area.

Equipment: Cones and several balls.

Players: Six players on the outside, two players on the inside.

Coaching points
  • Demand first-time play depending on ability level.
  • One defender presses, the other waits for the pass.
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

1 vs 1 Defending Behind the Attacker

25 minDouble penalty area
  • The central attacker gets free from the defender and receives a pass from an attacker behind the goal.
  • The attacker tries to control the ball quickly despite the high speed and to finish on the goal behind.
  • The defender goes with the attacker fully actively and tries to win the ball. If this succeeds, the defender counters on the attackers' goal.
  • After the finish, the attacker who played the pass becomes the new central attacker, and a new defender takes up the defending position from the left or the right. The previous attacker and the previous defender join their groups.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Four to six cones mark out the playing area; there is a goal at each end.

Equipment: 2 goals, 4 to 6 cones and all available balls on the attackers' side.

Players: One defender and one attacker are in the middle of the playing area. The remaining defenders spread out to the left and right level with the middle of the playing area, the remaining attackers behind one goal.

Coaching points
  • The defender stands side-on behind the striker.
  • The defender first tries to intercept the pass.
  • If this does not succeed, the defender gets directly behind the attacker again.
  • As soon as the attacker turns, the attacker is closed down.
Drill 4

Free Game in a 4 vs 4

25 min25 x 30 metres
  • The game is played freely as 4 vs 4.
  • In the combination play only ground passes are allowed.
Equipment & set-up

Pitch: Cones mark out the playing area; there are four mini goals at the ends.

Equipment: 4 mini goals, cones and several balls.

Players: Two teams of four players each.

Coaching points
  • Demand free play and creativity.
  • Keep an eye on their own goals.
  • Defend in the space, but also apply pressing.
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