A live 1v1 where you can only finish once you have dribbled into the zone, past the restraining line.
Young (U5 to U8)Mid (U9 to U13)Older (U14 to U18)Dribbling & 1v1Attacking playShooting & finishingFitness & movement
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In play
The setup
Step by step
1
The front player in the attacking line dribbles out. As they take their first touch the lead defender steps in, and it is a live 1v1.
2
Back yourself to beat them: attack at pace, go at their leading foot, and stay half-turned so you never lose sight of them.
3
You cannot finish from the middle. Dribble across the restraining line into the end zone first, then you are free to shoot.
4
Score in either small goal. Lose the ball and the defender can counter into the two goals behind you, so react straight away. The next pair come on the moment a goal goes in or the ball leaves the area.
Age group
Young (U5 to U8), Mid (U9 to U13), Older (U14 to U18)
Duration
12-15 mins, in 2-minute rounds, then swap the lines over.
Players
6+ in two lines (attackers and defenders)
Area
15 x 20 yards
Equipment
Cones or markers for the 15 x 20yd pitch and a restraining line at each end, four small goals (two per end line), a ball each for the attacking line, and bibs to separate the two teams.
FA Four Corners: what this develops
Technical / TacticalPsychologicalPhysicalSocial
Objective
Sharpen decisive 1v1 attacking, beating a defender and finishing under pressure, with a quick reaction to defend the instant possession is lost.
Set up
15 x 20yd field. A restraining line 5yd off each end marks a scoring zone at both ends, and there are two small goals on each end line. Split the group into two lines, one attacking and one defending, waiting behind opposite ends.
Coaching points
Back the dribbler to take their player on: go early and at speed rather than slowing up and letting the defender get set.
Run at the defender's leading foot, it is the hardest one for them to recover from when the ball changes direction.
Stay half-turned and shield the ball so the defender is always in view, never get square or let them nick it off your back.
Progressions
Add a second attacker and defender to make it a 2v2.
Add a support player on each side for a 2v1 overload.
Shrink the field to force quicker 1v1 decisions.
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