By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
Welcome to the FineSoccer Drills Newsletter. Today’s featured activity is a 2 v 1 game toward goal.
In designing training sessions we frequently create numbers up situations for the attacking team. This is done to create positive goal scoring opportunities. The problem with this is that most defenses are designed to always have one additional defender than the other team is attacking with. Since that is the case, shouldn’t we spend more time in those situations so both the attacking and defending players can be prepared?
Start with an attacking player 25 yards from goal with a ball. One defender is 5 yards closer to goal and the other one is 5 yards back. There is a keeper in goal.
The attacking player starts with their first touch and as soon as that touch is made, the first defender is live. The defender starting behind sprints to become the second defender (as opposed to going straight for the ball).
If the attacking player can get to goal before the second defender can get back, that is fine.
The first defenders initial priority is to stop the attacker from penetrating (getting past him with a dribble or shot) and then then to delay to allow the second defender to get back. Once the second defender is in position the first defender can be more aggressive and take a chance to win the ball knowing he has coverage.
If the first defender gets beat, he is to quickly recover and become the second defender while the second defender steps up and becomes the first defender.
Whether a team plays man to man or zonally, they have to understand how to provide proper coverage and support for each other and this type of activity does a good job preparing them
Make sure players have the opportunity to be the attacker, the first defender and the second defender.
Have a great day!
Lawrence
By Lawrence Fine, Author of the FineSoccer Coaching Bible.
