1v1 Attacking and Reaction Drill
This 1v1 soccer attacking drill focuses on the attacker making quick faints, a change of direction, and a burst of speed while causing the defender to react quickly to the attacker's movements.
1v1 Soccer; Attacking and Reaction Drill
This 1v1 soccer attacking drill focuses on the attacker making quick faints, a change of direction, and a burst of speed while causing the defender to react quickly to the attacker's movements.
Drill Setup
- Create a grid approximately 40 yards wide and 30 yards long.
- Place a small goal or Pugg Goal on each end line.
- Place four cones in each corner of the field approximately 5 yards from the sideline.
- Split the team into two groups.
- One group on one sideline will be the defenders.
- The other group on the other sideline will be the attackers and should start with a supply of soccer balls.
Drill Instructions
- The first attacker in the line passes to the first defender across the field.
- These two players should move towards the center of the grid about 5 yards apart and continue to pass back and forth.
- On the attackers' queue, he can take off and attack either of the two small goals.
- The defender, not knowing which way he will go should react quickly to the attacker's movements.
- The attacker can fake and feint and go the other direction at any time.
- Once a goal is scored or the ball goes out of bounds, the two players must run around the cone closest to the goal they are attacking on their side of the field and sprint to the cone near the opposite goal.
- The drill repeats with the next attacker and defender.
- Have players switch lines so they have the opportunity to attack and defend.
Drill Variations
- Instead of playing the pass in the beginning, have the defenders play a ball into the attackers and let the attackers attacking the goal immediately. With this variation, the defender must close the attacker down quickly.
Drill Coaching Points
- The attacker should use feints, change of direction, and speed to confuse the defender.
- The defender should react quickly and close the attacker down.
Equipment
- Disc Cones - Mini or Full-Size Disc Cones are a critical piece of equipment that every soccer coach must have in your equipment bag.
- Scrimmage Pinnies/Vests - Scrimmage vests, also called bibs or pinnies, are also another must-have in your soccer coaching equipment bag.
- Soccer Practice or Training Balls - Every player should have a soccer balls at practice to have a successful training session.
- Pugg Goal - Pugg Goal or Mini Soccer Goal
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