Finishing One-v-One Lane

Objectives

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

How to set it up

1. 1Mark out the working area at 24 x 16 yards. Put a cone on each corner so the boundary is obvious to the players.
2. 2A lane with a mini goal at each end in a 24 x 16 yards area.
3. 3Set a goal at the end of the area with a keeper or a target zone if no keeper is available.
4. 4Balls at the attacker's start cone, bibs for defenders.
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 4-16 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 starts with the ball and attacks the defender in the lane.
3. 3Attacker scores in the far goal, defender scores by winning it and hitting the near goal.
4. 4Players swap roles after each duel and rotate lanes.
5. 5Every sequence starts with a pass out and ends with a strike on goal.
6. 6Goals score one, first-time finishes score two, and rebounds must be followed in.
7. 7After their action each player follows their pass and joins the back of the next line, so everybody rotates through every position in the practice.
8. 8Every 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.
9. 9Freeze 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 dribbling 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 5 rounds of roughly 3 minutes inside the 16 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

• -Running straight into the defender
• -Defender diving in early
• -Rushing the shot and leaning back over the ball
• -Standing still and watching instead of moving into the next position