Counter One-v-One Lane

Objective

• -Give attackers repeated one-v-one duels
• -Develop the courage to take players on
• -Coach defenders to delay and show one way

Setup

1. 1A lane with a mini goal at each end in a 26 x 18 yards area.
2. 2Place two mini goals on the halfway line for the counter-attacking side to aim at.
3. 3Balls at the attacker's start cone, bibs for defenders.

How to play

1. 1Attacker starts with the ball and attacks the defender in the lane.
2. 2Attacker scores in the far goal, defender scores by winning it and hitting the near goal.
3. 3Players swap roles after each duel and rotate lanes.
4. 4The team in possession starts each rep in their own half and must build forwards.
5. 5Turnovers earn a direct counter at the mini goals worth two points.

Progressions

• +Counter must be finished inside five seconds
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Award the counter goal for simply carrying over halfway
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Swap the counter goals for a dribble-through gate
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Running straight into the defender
• -Defender diving in early
• -Dribbling into traffic when the counter is on