1v1 to Goal with Counter on Mini Goals
1v1 duel in which the attacker tries to score past the goalkeeper while the defender, if he wins the ball, counters into two mini goals. Dribbling, decision making and transition in one action.
Step 1Pase de inicio
1 / 3
El defensor pasa al atacante y sale a presionar; el pase activa el duelo.
Objective
Improve the attacker's dribbling and decision making in 1v1 situations, and the defender's timing, with a clear reward for winning the ball.
Organisation
Quarter pitch with a full-size goal and goalkeeper; two 1.5 m mini goals on the opposite line, 20 m apart. The attacker waits 30 m from goal; the defender starts 20 m from goal with the ball. You need balls, two mini goals, bibs and cones for the starting gate.
Development
- 1The defender passes to the attacker and closes him down immediately; the pass starts the duel.
- 2The attacker receives facing forward and takes on the defender, trying to beat him with a move or a change of pace.
- 3If the attacker gets past, he finishes against the goalkeeper before entering the six-yard box.
- 4If the defender wins the ball, he attacks either mini goal and the attacker must recover to stop him.
- 5The action ends with a goal, the ball out of play or a save. Players swap roles every two actions and the score is kept by teams.
Coaching points4
- Attacker: first touch forward to force the defender into a quick decision.
- Take the defender on with the ball away from his nearest foot and change pace immediately after the move.
- Defender: close the distance while the ball travels and slow down with short steps on arrival.
- Defender: half-open stance to steer the attacker wide, away from goal.
Common mistakes3
- The attacker dribbles without a change of pace and the defender recovers his position.
- The defender arrives at full speed and is beaten with a single touch.
- Delaying the finish looking for one more move and losing the shooting angle.
Variations3
- Start with a pass from the goalkeeper to the attacker while the defender leaves from the end line.
- The attacker must finish within six seconds of receiving.
- Play 2v1 with a second attacker arriving late from the side.
Progressions1
- Add a second defender who joins the action once the attacker beats the first.
Regressions2
- The defender only starts once the attacker takes his first touch, giving the attacker extra space.
- Reduce the distance to goal to 20 m so the finish comes sooner.
Tips
- Alternate the starting side to work moves towards both feet.
- Count the defender's goals double to reinforce defensive intensity.