Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Dribbling 1v1

1v1 Gate Game (15 mins)

Progressing the practice into a skill practice through pairing players up and introducing a gate system. Players will score points by scoring in either goal however, can add additional points if they can complete dribbles through any of the gates. One gate equals 1 point plus a goal equals 2 points for the player. If defenders win the ball or the attacker misses the goal their points tally re-sets to zero. 

Area Size

20x15m

Challenges

• How many gates can you get through before shooting? 

• Encourage little touches and close control, see if players can have one touch for every step. 
  
• What part of the foot is being utilised in specific situations? Front of the foot moving forwards, outside of the foot to spin away, sole of the foot to protect. 
• Protecting possession, can players show their backs to defenders, close their legs and shield possession utilising their upper bodies. 

• Uneven numbers. Possible roles, odd player can be challenged to pick up and move gates, encouraging players to play with their heads up. Set up four corner boxes which the odd player moves between, if players can pass into them during their visit playing a one two before scoring, they gain an additional point. Finally, odd player as a floater, helping struggling players relieve pressure.
  
• Reinforce positive behaviours. 
• Match players up with similar abilities. 

Conditioned Game (10 mins)

Session now progresses into a conditioned game. No corners, or throw-ins, only dribble ins. Dependent on ability and engagement throughout the session, introduce, can only play forward passes, 1v1 attacking and defending pairs or must be 2 or 5+ touches on the ball nothing in between. 

Area Size

20x15m



• Reflect and analyse specific coaching detail from previous practices, has it been taken on-board? If not can we intervene individually without stopping play?

• Reinforce positive behaviours. 
• Progress into normal game without conditions.