The wrong timing or weight of pass, poor control, badly judged runs – all these factors and more can combine to ruin a perfectly decent 2v1 attacking situation. Don’t let your players make those mistakes.
Attacking principles – committing the defender, accurate and quick passing, positive first touch, making use of the width of the pitch, etc.
Combination play/movement – the wall pass, overlaps, dummy runs, good angles of support, etc.
Communication – verbal, eye-contact, signalling, etc.
Set-up
Warm up
Session
Development
Game Situation
Warm Down
10 minutes
15 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
10 minutes
What you get your players to do
Place a goal at one end of the area and split it into five equal zones, as shown in the top picture.
One defender is stationed in each of the three central zones, with a goalkeeper in goal. Defenders can’t exit their own zone.
Two lines of attackers begin at the opposite end. With one ball between two, the first player from each line sets off.
Working as a pair, they take it in turns to combine to pass and dribble their way through the first zone unopposed, then each of the other zones to finish with a shot at goal.
If the ball is intercepted, scored or goes off the pitch, the attackers leave the field and the next pair begins.
Pairs of attackers work their way through five zones to take a shot at goal. Defenders can’t leave their area.
Development
Set up an area, as shown in the middle picture. Each team has five players, including a keeper, but only uses a maximum of two outfield players on the pitch.
One player from each team starts on the pitch. The remaining team members line up at the opposite end from the goal they’re attacking. Another player from team A dribbles the ball onto the pitch to make a 2v1 situation.
Play continues until the ball is dead (is scored, saved or goes off the pitch). Once that happens, one of team A’s players leaves the pitch and joins the back of the line and one of team B’s dribbles on, immediately creating a reverse 2v1. Play until everyone has played in attack and defence in a 2v1. Use the offside rule.
Related Files
core-207-make-the-most-of-a-2v1.pdfPDF, 259 KB
Each team takes turns to launch 2v1 attacks.
Game situation
Mark out an area for a small-sided game that is split into thirds, as shown in the bottom picture.
Begin with 3v3 in the central zone for all restarts (including kick-offs, goal kicks, corners and throw-ins). A maximum of one defender and two attackers are allowed in either of the end thirds at any one time.
Use the offside rule so players experience a match-like scenario. The team that scores most goals wins.
In a small-sided game, only two attackers and one defender are allowed in either end zone.
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Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful soccer coach. ALL the support you need to become a great Youth Soccer coach: ✓ Proven, practical coaching advice
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