2v1 Receiving While Facing the Defender
A server plays the ball in and chases their own pass — the receiver's first touch beats the pressure, and with a teammate it's a 2v1 to the far end line.
Trapping with the foot, thigh, and chest is a different skill with an opponent bearing down — the first touch has to land in space, away from the pressure.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones and a ball for every group of three.
- Build: Build an area of approximately 20 by 30 yards.
- Place: Player 1 starts on one side of the grid with the ball; players 2 and 3 start on the opposite side.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Trapping and controlling with the foot, thigh, and chest while facing an opponent — quick control moving forward, first touch into space, and the pass-or-dribble decision.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Player 1 serves into player 2 and chases the pass as the defender; player 2's touch escapes the pressure, player 3 makes it a 2v1, and stopping the ball on the far end line scores.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Divide the team into groups of three. Player 1 takes one side of the area with the ball; players 2 and 3 take the opposite side, facing them.
Coach says
Threes. Server on that side with the ball — you two over here, facing them.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk one rep — player 1 serves the ball into player 2, then follows the pass and defends. Player 2 moves toward the service, takes a quality controlling touch away from player 1's pressure, and attacks the end line player 1 started from. Player 2 can pass to player 3, creating a 2v1. To score, stop the ball on the end line they're attacking. The server should serve to the feet, the thigh, and the chest.
Coach says
Serve it, then go win it back. Receiver — first touch away from them, then attack that line. Your teammate makes it two on one.
3Play▾
Coach does
Run the reps and mix the serves — feet, thigh, and chest. Watch the quick control moving forward, the first touch into space away from the advancing player, the pass-or-dribble decision, and proper technique on the trap.
Coach says
First touch into space — away from the pressure, then go!
Look for: The first touch — into space away from the advancing defender, so the receiver moves forward instead of fighting the ball.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Rotate the jobs so everyone serves, receives, and supports. To grow it, add a second defender 5 to 7 yards behind players 2 and 3, pressuring the attackers from behind and making a recovery run to get goal-side of the ball.
Coach says
Rotate — new server. Next round there's a defender behind you too, so that first touch really matters.
If it's not working
If the defender keeps winning it at the trap, freeze one rep and ask the receiver where that first touch should have landed — into the space away from the pressure — then serve again.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.
Why are we doing this?
What are they learning?
How can I change it?
Harder: Add a second defender 5 to 7 yards behind the attackers, pressuring from behind and making a recovery run to get goal-side of the ball.
Next: Receiving with Back to Goal — the same serves, with the pressure now arriving from behind.