1v1 Attacking to a Full-Size Goal
A defender drives a long ball across and races to close down — the attacker takes them on one-on-one, and beating them earns a finish on a full-size goal.
Beating a defender in a 1v1 and finishing on a full-size goal is the whole job here — the fake, the change of direction, and the change of pace that leaves them behind.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Pinnies to split the groups, a supply of balls for both teams, and your two full-size goals.
- Build: Set the two full-size goals about 25 yards from each other.
- Place: A goalkeeper in each goal and a group at each goal with balls near — the defensive team starts with the ball; the attackers start without one.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: A good controlling touch, a quality approach with the right amount of speed and control, dribbling directly at the defender, faking — step-overs, hard steps, stutter-steps, dragging a foot or toe, dipping the shoulders, faking a kick, misdirecting with the eyes — and the change of direction and change of pace that finish the move on a full-size goal.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
The defender plays a long ball into the attacker and sprints to close them down; the attacker takes the defender on and finishes on goal — a clean steal ends the play for the next attacker.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Split the team into two groups, one starting at each goal, with balls near both and a keeper in each goal. Designate one group the defensive team — they start with the ball.
Coach says
One group here, one there — keepers in. Defenders, the ball starts at your feet.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk the rep — the defensive player plays a long ball into the first attacker and quickly closes them down; the attacker receives and quickly takes the defender on; once the defender is beat, the attacker finishes on goal. If the defender wins the ball cleanly, the play is over and it's on to the next attacker.
Coach says
Serve it long, then GO shut them down. Attackers — first touch, then take them on. Beat them, finish.
3Play▾
Coach does
Watch the take-on — a good controlling touch, a quality approach with the right amount of speed and control, and the attacker dribbling directly at the defender. Then the sale — a step over the ball, a hard step, a stutter-step, a dragged foot or toe, dipped shoulders, a faked kick, or eyes looking the wrong way — followed by a good change of direction and a change of pace to leave the defender once the fake has them off-balance.
Coach says
Right AT the defender! Sell the fake — now cut and GO!
Look for: A fake the defender actually buys — then the change of direction and change of pace that leaves them behind.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Run it until each attacker has had an opportunity to play, then the two groups switch roles.
Coach says
That's everybody — switch! Defenders, your turn to attack.
If it's not working
If the defender swallows every attack, walk the goals a few steps farther apart — a longer close-down run gives the attacker time to control the ball and commit to a move.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.