1v1 Defending

Objectives

• -Delay and control an attacker one against one
• -Adopt a strong side-on defensive stance
• -Choose the right moment to tackle

How to set it up

1. 1Mark out the working area at 15 x 12 yards. Put a cone on each corner so the boundary is obvious to the players.
2. 2Channel with a mini goal at the defender's end.
3. 3Attacker starts 15 yards out with a ball.
4. 4Two queues either side.
5. 5Place the goals before you start and check the run-off behind them is clear and safe.
6. 6Kit for this practice: Balls, Cones, Mini Goals. Keep a supply of spare balls beside the coach so a lost ball never stops the practice.
7. 7Split 6-16 players into two or three even groups. Run two stations side by side if you have the space, so lines never grow beyond four players.
8. 8Set the area up before the players arrive, then walk them through the shape once at a jog before the first live repetition.

How to run it, step by step

1. 1Get the players into position and walk the first repetition through slowly so everybody knows where they start and where they go.
2. 2Attacker attempts to score in the mini goal within 12 seconds.
3. 3Defender presses, delays and forces play wide.
4. 4Swap roles each turn; keep individual scores.
5. 5After their action each player follows their pass and joins the back of the next line, so everybody rotates through every position in the practice.
6. 6Every repetition finishes with a strike at goal. As soon as the ball leaves the striker's foot the next player starts, so the practice keeps flowing.
7. 7Freeze the practice once or twice per round, make one coaching point to the whole group, then restart immediately.

What each player does

Working player

Takes the repetition: receives, executes the defending action and finishes the sequence at match pace.

Server

Delivers a consistent, firm ball on the coach's call, then collects a spare ball ready for the next repetition.

Defender

Starts passive and builds to full pressure, staying side on and forcing the working player into their weaker side.

Goalkeeper

Sets before every strike, works the save, then distributes to restart the next attack rather than kicking the ball away.

Waiting players

Stand behind the start cone with a ball ready, watch the repetition in front of them and step in the moment it finishes.

Coach

Stands where the whole picture is visible, serves or calls the start, and makes one clear point per freeze.

Timings and organisation

• -Run 4 rounds of roughly 4 minutes inside the 15 minute slot.
• -Give 45-60 seconds of rest between rounds so the quality of the work stays high, and use that gap for your coaching point.
• -Rotate roles at the end of every round so each player works, serves and defends across the practice.
• -If the practice is too easy, move to a progression rather than adding more repetitions. If players are struggling, drop to a regression for one round and then build back up.

Common mistakes

• -Sprinting all the way in and getting spun
• -Standing square, easy to beat either side
• -Diving in on the first touch
• -Standing still and watching instead of moving into the next position