1-to-1 Attacking Duels

Objectives

• -Beat an opponent one against one
• -Commit the defender then accelerate
• -Build courage to take players on

How to set it up

1. 1Mark out the working area at 15 x 10 yards. Put a cone on each corner so the boundary is obvious to the players.
2. 2Channel with a mini goal or gate at each end.
3. 3Attacker starts with the ball, coach or partner defends.
4. 4Balls stored behind each goal.
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. 7Work one-to-one: the coach or a partner serves while the working player takes every repetition.
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 drives at the defender and tries to score.
3. 3Six attempts, then switch roles or restart.
4. 4Defender starts passive, then semi-active, then full pressure.
5. 5The working player recovers back to the start position between repetitions while the server collects the ball.
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 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.

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 14 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

• -Move performed too far away to matter
• -No acceleration after beating the defender
• -Head down through the duel
• -Standing still and watching instead of moving into the next position