1v1 into 2v1 game

By David Clarke

This game tests your forwards' ability to score in 1v1 and 2v1 situations with a quick switch from defence to attack in different sized areas.

How to play it

• Create a playing area measuring 40x30 yards and set up as shown.
• This game uses 10 outfield players (5v5) plus keepers.
  
• To start, the black player attacks the top goal 1v1.
  
• The white player then receives a ball from the coach and attacks the bottom goal with his team mate, in a 2v1.
  
• After each attack the coach passes a new ball to the defender to begin a new attack.
  
• Now rotate so that the black defender becomes the black attacker, the black attacker joins the back of the queue and a new black attacker goes into the lower box.
• Similarly, the white defender becomes the white team mate in the lower box, the white team mate joins the back of the queue and a new white defender goes into the upper box.
  
• The game is played for five minutes with the coach keeping scores.
  
• The teams now switch roles.

Technique and tactics

• Speed is essential in this game with players transitioning between attack and defence. With this in mind, look for strikers to beat their man and get a shot away as quickly as possible.
• Awareness of space is important too - a confined area when attacking one goal and a much wider space to attack for the other.