1v1 training sessions

This drill is designed to test your players in 1v1 situations.

It is perfect a perfect drill for strikers vs defenders. It's a great way for both sets of players to strengthen their skills. Timing is vital in this drill. A player can have all the skill in the world, but if he/she doesn't know when to pull the trigger so to speak, their skill will get them nowhere. Strikers need to know when to slip past a defender, and defenders need to know when to stick a tackle in.

Let's get onto the drill. It's a simple two-step drill, see below for variations as well.

STEP 1:

Like our previous drill we are going to setup a small field using four cones, if you have mini goals at your disposal awesome, if not just use more cones. Setup your area so that there are goal posts on two sides opposite each other, just like in the picture below. Like I said if you don't have mini goals just setup scoring areas using more cones. Remember this is 1v1, so only two players in the area at a time.

STEP 2:

Get the players ready in front of each goal and give one player the ball, the striker in this case would be a good starter. Sound the whistle and let them have a go at each other. This is like a normal game so if the ball goes out of bounds, stop the play and start again from where it went out. Who ever scores first wins.

Variations:

- You can make this drill a 2v2 or even a 3v3.

- Set a time limit for the players to score.

- Stat with the ball in the middle and let the players sprint for it, instead of giving it to a player at the start.

- Have fun with it and create little games like, winner stays in. Players who score stay in until someone can beat them.

Here is a link from the Arsenal F.C. YouTube channel of their players playing some 1v1 and 2v2.