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.
20 min tonight · Two groups at facing goals (1v1), plus 2 keepers
- Ages 9+
- Two groups at facing goals (1v1), plus 2 keepers
- 20 min as the drill is written
- Pinnies, balls, 2 full-size goals
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.
- 1
Organize the players
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.
“One group here, one there — keepers in. Defenders, the ball starts at your feet.”
- 2
Show the jobs
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.
“Serve it long, then GO shut them down. Attackers — first touch, then take them on. Beat them, finish.”
- 3
Play
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.
“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.
- 4
Switch and repeat
Run it until each attacker has had an opportunity to play, then the two groups switch roles.
“That's everybody — switch! Defenders, your turn to attack.”
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.
Go deeper · 2 notes
Why it works
The long ball and the sprinting defender make the first touch honest, and the full menu of fakes — step-overs, stutter-steps, dipped shoulders, eyes sent the wrong way — only pays off when it's followed by a real change of direction and a change of pace, which is exactly what the rep rewards.
What they learn
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.
Where does this come from?
SoccerXpert — their published drill library.
A published drill library. Useful and widely used, but not a governing body — so it fills gaps rather than leading.