Dribbling challenge and 1 v 1

Goal

Equipment

8 poles
2 markers
4 cones
2 small goals
Balls

Preparation

Playing area: 30x30 meters / 33x33 yd
Players: 12
Duration: 12 minutes
Series: 2 series of 5 minutes each with 2 minutes of active recovery inbetween (ball touches in pairs)

Summary	Secondary Objectives
This specific soccer drill improves technical skills such as dribbling, feints and tricks, 1 v 1 duels	Running with the ball, Shooting, Ball control, 1v1 attacking, Dribbling, Ball control, Front dribbling, Finishing

Organization

Create a 30x30 meters square with markers. In the middle of two opposite sides place two small goals. Next to the goals create two courses with opposite starting points. These circuits consist of a starting marker (yellow in the picture), a sequence of staggered poles (three at the same distance, the fourth one 10 meters away) and two cones that create a 1-meter gate. Divide players into two groups. Two players (one per group) start at the same time at the coach's signal. One ball must be placed in the middle of the pitch. Each player starts with a ball and can use both feet to perform the drill.

Description

At the coach's signal the first two players start dribbling in slalom through the poles
Once they cross the last pole, they get to the further pole and go around it to then go towards the gate made of cones
Players dribble through the gate and shoot at goal
After the shot, they run towards the ball in the middle of the pitch trying to get there before the teammate
The one that arrives first becomes forward while the other plays as defender
Forward tries to overcome the defender and score in the goal defended by their teammate
1 v 1 keeps on going until a goal is scored or the ball goes off the pitch
The next pair starts at the coach's signal

Rules

The first shoot at goal scores 1 point
The shoot at goal during the 1 v 1 situations is worth 2 points
At the end of the series the team with the highest score wins
At the end of the first series swap team's position

Variations

Perform the exercise only with the right foot
Perform the exercise only with the left foot
Add two goalkeepers

Coaching Points

Player who attacks:
- During the 1 v 1 duel the ball must be received in a favourable position, facing the goal
- Players must keep an attacking attitude: Drive in speed, simulate pass or shot
- Identify your opponent's weaknesses
- Perform feints without slowing down the action too much
Player who defends:
- Place the body between opponent, the ball and the center of the goal, to reduce to its minimum the marking distance
- Take your opponent to the outermost parts of the field
- Find the weaker foot of your rival in order to condition their movements
- Choose the right moment to recover the ball
Ball driving:
- Keep the ball close to the foot
- Try to perform safe impacts with the ball
- Stay on top of the ball by keeping the bust slightly tilted forwards
- The player has to keep the head up decreasing eye contact with the ball