Defending
1v1 Defending Duels: Two-Goal Decision
Delay and deny the attacker
Defending
Tackling
Dribbling
Premium
1v1 Defending Duels: Two-Goal Decision 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.
Back to drill libraryDefending
Tackling
Dribbling
Skill Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Decision Making
Goals Needed
Duration
15 min
Players
4-16
Pitch size
12 x 10 yards
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
1v1 Defending Duels: Two-Goal Decision — 1v1 channel — beat your player and cross the line · 12 x 10 yards
Step 1 of 5Defender 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. Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
- 5. 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.
- 4Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
Coaching points
- -Close the space quickly then slow down
- -Side-on stance, low centre of gravity
- -Show the attacker to their weaker side
- -Show the attacker one way and block the other
- -Attackers change target late to unbalance the defence
Common mistakes
- -Diving in on the first touch
- -Standing square and getting turned
- -Closing down too slowly