1v1 to goal
A defender passes to an attacker and steps out to defend; the attacker tries to beat them and score. Two queues keep it moving.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Attackers queue at a cone 25 m from goal; defenders queue at the goal line next to the post.
- Keeper in goal.
Equipment: Goal, cones, balls
How it works
- The defender passes to the attacker and steps out to defend.
- The attacker tries to beat the defender and score.
- If the defender wins it, they score by dribbling over the halfway cones. Swap queues each turn.
Coaching points
- Attacker: run at the defender quickly, then change speed and direction.
- Defender: close down fast, slow down, get side-on and show them away from goal.
- Stay on your feet; tackle when the ball is too far from their foot.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Defender must start further away
Make it harder
- Attacker must score within 6 seconds
- 2v2
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.
More 1v1 drills
1v1 channels (beat your defender)
In narrow channels, attackers try to dribble over the end line while a defender tries to stop them. Lots of 1v1 reps for both, side by side with the whole squad working.
See the drill โ1v1 to four gates
A 1v1 with a gate in each corner: the attacker can score through any of them. With so many options, players learn to read the defender and change direction.
See the drill โWide 1v1: beat the full-back and cross
A winger receives in a wide channel and goes 1v1 against a full-back to get a cross or cut-back in for a striker. Game-realistic 1v1s with an end product.
See the drill โ1v1 with your back to goal
The attacker receives with a defender tight behind them and must turn or hold up the ball and shoot. The striker's toughest 1v1, made into a repeatable game.
See the drill โ1v1 tournament (up and down the pitches)
Players play 60-second 1v1 games on a row of mini pitches; winners move up, losers move down. Huge numbers of 1v1s and a fun competitive ladder.
See the drill โ1v1 from different starting angles
Defenders start from the side, behind or in front of the attacker in turn. Each angle teaches a different decision for both players.
See the drill โ