Gafferbook
1v1 ยท U8 to U14

Diagonal 1v1 from the corners

Players start in opposite corners and the coach plays the ball into the middle. First to it attacks the other's gate. Reactions, races and 1v1s.

U8 to U14Ages
6 to 16Players
20 x 20 mArea
10 minsTime

Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.

โž• Put it in tonight's session๐Ÿ—“ Build my season around itโœ๏ธ Make my own version

Set-up

  • Square with a gate in two opposite corners.
  • Two queues in the other two corners.

Equipment: Cones, mini goals or gates, balls

How it works

  1. Coach plays a ball into the square.
  2. Both players race; whoever wins it attacks the gate opposite their corner.
  3. Next pair goes.

Coaching points

  • Win the race: first touch away from the opponent.
  • Protect the ball with your body.
  • Defend goal-side quickly if you lose the race.

Add this drill to a session plan โ†’

Make it easier

  • Coach plays it closer to one player

Make it harder

  • Two balls: each player tries to score and defend

AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ†’ Passโ†’ Runใ€ฐโ†’ Dribble

Questions about this drill?

Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.

More 1v1 drills

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.

See the drill โ†’

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 โ†’

1v1 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 โ†’

Wide 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 โ†’

1v1 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 โ†’

1v1 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 โ†’