Defending
1v1 Defending
Delay and control an attacker one against one
Delay and control an attacker one against one. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.
Back to drill libraryAge
Under 5 to Adults
Duration
15 min
Players
6-16
Area / pitch size
15 x 12 yards
Difficulty
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Equipment
Balls, Cones, Mini Goals
Coaching focus
Delay and control an attacker one against one
Build a full 60-minute session around this drill
Warm-up to match, ready to print. Free — no card needed.
Drill diagram
A 12-yard-wide, 15-yard-long channel with one mini goal at the defender's end; attackers begin 15 yards from goal.
- 1.Attacker tries to score in the mini goal within 12 seconds; the dribble shows an example approach, not a guaranteed route to goal.
- 2.Defender presses, delays and forces play wide. Swap roles each turn and keep individual scores.
Objective
- -Delay and control an attacker one against one
- -Adopt a strong side-on defensive stance
- -Choose the right moment to tackle
Setup
- 1Channel with a mini goal at the defender's end.
- 2Attacker starts 15 yards out with a ball.
- 3Two queues either side.
How to play
- 1Attacker attempts to score in the mini goal within 12 seconds.
- 2Defender presses, delays and forces play wide.
- 3Swap roles each turn; keep individual scores.
Coaching points
- -Close the space quickly, then slow down
- -Side-on stance, low centre of gravity
- -Force the attacker onto their weaker foot
- -Tackle when the ball leaves the attacker's foot
Progressions
- +Add a recovering second defender
- +Two goals to defend
Regressions
- -Narrow the channel
- -Attacker limited to two touches
Variations
- -Start with the defender facing away
- -Defender wins by clearing to a target
Common mistakes
- -Sprinting all the way in and getting spun
- -Standing square, easy to beat either side
- -Diving in on the first touch
Related Football Drills & Sessions
- More football defending drills
- More football tackling drills
- More football transition drills
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- Football drills for U12s
- Football drills for U13s
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- Football drills for U15s
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