Daniel K. Theemann

Two days ago, I posted the drill “1v1 in small zones“. Yesterday I was thinking about to make it even better and ensure that you get a lot more 1v1 challenge in the 1v1 zones.

Today the drill doesn’t ensure that, because if you as an attacker receives the ball very close to the goal line, you can just dribble past it, without challenging the defender.

I have designed a twist, which I believe will ensure a 1v1 challenge nearly every time the ball is passed into a 1v1 zone. If the attackers first touch is bad, then there will be a risk, that no 1v1 challenge is going to take place.

The drill is structured this way:

Pitch: 4 x 15×10 m zones + a mid zone (15×15 m)
Teams: 6v6 + 3N
Development:

• A player from each team in every 1v1 zone. Scoring by dribbling the ball over the “goal line”.
• Only the attacking team can score (the team that passes the ball from the mid zone to a 1v1 zone).
• The defending team has to pass the ball back to a team mate or neutral player in the mid zone.
• Unlimited touches in all zones.
• If the ball goes out off play, a coach passes the ball into the mid zone.
• Switch players in the 1v1 zones every 3 mins.
• 3 neutral players (switch now and then).
• Only the attacker can stay in the attacking zone (dark green in the 1v1 zone), when the ball is in the mid zone.
• Both attacker and defender can stay in the defence zone (light green in the 1v1 zone), when the ball is in the mid zone.

Progressions:

1. Latest on the 3rd pass the ball must be passed into a 1v1 zone.
2. Max. 2 touches in the mid zone (unlimited in the 1v1 zones).
3. Defender in the 1v1 zone can move into the attacking zone, when the attacker has made his/her first touch on the ball.

Focus:

• Courage to challenge 1v1.
• Acceleration when you get past your direct opponent.
• Keep the ball close to your feet.
• Be creative in the 1v1 challenges.
• Good movement as the attacker, so you can receive the ball from the mid zone.
• Go directly to your opponent on your first touch in the 1v1 zones.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Formation possession game
• Evaluering af efterårssæsonen 2011
• TK: OB 2 (1 – 1) Kolding FC
• TK: Vejen SF (2 – 1) Kolding FC
• Integrate good habits in your team

This Spring season (Marts to June 2011) my U14 team trained 1v1 offensive, where they were encouraged to try to beat their direct opponent.

Tactically I always encourage my players to try to beat their opponent 1v1 in the last third of the pitch. Here you can take risks and the consequences will not be as crucial as in our own third of the pitch.

I teach all my players the courage to go for 1v1 duels in offence (mental coaching is crucial here to overcome barriers).

The drill is structured this way:

Pitch: 4 x 15×10 m zones + a mid zone (15×15 m)
Teams: 6v6 + 3N
Development:

• A player from each team in every 1v1 zone. Scoring by dribbling the ball over the “goal line”.
• Only the attacking team can score (the team that passes the ball from the mid zone to a 1v1 zone).
• The defending team has to pass the ball back to a team mate or neutral player in the mid zone.
• Unlimited touches in all zones.
• If the ball goes out off play, a coach passes the ball into the mid zone.
• Switch players in the 1v1 zones every 3 mins.
• 3 neutral players (switch now and then).

Progressions:

1. Latest on the 3rd pass the ball must be passed into a 1v1 zone.
2. Max. 2 touches in the mid zone (unlimited in the 1v1 zones).

I have used this drill twice now during the Spring season and I saw a clear development, when we played it the 2nd time. The players knew the drill better and it really worked well. The players got a lot of 1v1 duels, which was the main goal with this drill.

They got the 1v1 duels from different angles, because they received the ball randomly from the mid zone. That was to me more game-related, which was my secondary goal.

Please leave a comment, if you have anything to add to the drill.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Formation possession game
• Evaluering af efterårssæsonen 2011
• TK: OB 2 (1 – 1) Kolding FC
• TK: Vejen SF (2 – 1) Kolding FC
• Integrate good habits in your team