1v1 defending: show them outside
The defender passes to the attacker, closes them down and shows them towards the touchline, away from goal. Teaches the approach, the side-on stance and patience.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Channels 15 m long, 10 m wide, with a 3 m gate at the attacker's end in the middle.
- Defender and attacker face each other at opposite ends.
Equipment: Cones, balls
How it works
- Defender passes to the attacker and closes them down.
- Attacker tries to dribble through the central gate (goal) or over the end line beside it (half point).
- Defender wins the ball or forces it out of the side.
Coaching points
- Close down fast, then slow down as you arrive: small steps.
- Side-on, knees bent, show them the outside.
- Stay on your feet; tackle when the ball is too far from their foot.
Formations this drill suits
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Wider gate on the side
Make it harder
- Narrower channel
- Defender's pass has to be longer
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
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See the drill โ