Defending

1v1 Defending Duels

Delay and deny the attacker

Defending

Tackling

Dribbling

1v1 Defending Duels is a 15-minute defending drill for 4-16 players, suitable for Under 7 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Defending

Tackling

Dribbling

Skill Practice

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Minimal Equipment

Foundation Phase

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Duration

15 min

Players

4-16

Pitch size

12 x 10 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

1v1 Defending Duels — 1v1 channel — beat your player and cross the line · 12 x 10 yards

Step 1 of 4Defender passes to the attacker and closes down.

1. Defender passes to the attacker and closes down.
2. Attacker tries to cross the defender's line under control.
3. Swap roles after each duel.
4. Rotation: Swap roles after each duel.

Cones mark the area
Dashed lines = scoring lines
Ball
Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
Blue = attacker, dark = defender, queues outside the channel
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Delay and deny the attacker
-Adopt a strong defensive stance
-Win the ball at the right moment

Setup

1Mark a 12 x 10 channel with a scoring line at each end.
2Defender starts on the goal-side line, attacker faces them.
3Balls stored on both sides.

Coaching instructions

1Defender passes to the attacker and closes down.
2Attacker tries to cross the defender's line under control.
3Swap roles after each duel.

Coaching points

-Close the space quickly then slow down
-Side-on stance, low centre of gravity
-Show the attacker to their weaker side

Common mistakes

-Diving in on the first touch
-Standing square and getting turned
-Closing down too slowly

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

Under 7

Under 8

Under 9

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

Progressions

+Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
+Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
+Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
+Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

-Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
-Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
-Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
-Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

-Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
-Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
-Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
-Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
-Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
-Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
-Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
-Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch