1v1 teaches decision-making under pressure. The attacker has to decide: dribble past or shoot. The defender has to close down without fouling.
Equipment needed: One goal (or cones marking a 4-yard-wide goal), 2-4 soccer balls, 6-8 kids, a 15-by-15-yard space.
Setup: Mark a grid 15 yards from the goal line to a start line. One attacker starts with the ball at the start line. One defender starts at the goal line.
How to run it:
- Coach says “Go.” Attacker dribbles at the defender.
- Defender closes down and tries to win the ball or block the shot.
- Attacker tries to score or dribble past and shoot.
- Play ends when a goal is scored, the ball goes out of bounds, or the defender wins it.
- Do 8-10 reps. Rotate attacker and defender.
What to look for: Attack decisions and defensive positioning. Does the attacker have a plan or just run at the defender? Does the defender stay on their feet or dive in?
Variation: For younger kids (8-9), make the goal bigger (6 yards) and let the attacker have an unlimited running start. For older kids (10), add a second defender so it’s 1v2.