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1v1 duel and shielding the ball to two gates

TacticsBoard ·

Translated from Finnish ·

1 vs 1, Dribbling, Defending

Description

The coach stands with the balls at the lower end of the area, and the teams are in lines on either side of them. In the top corners of the area there are two four-metre gates, through which the ball is dribbled out to the side. The coach plays a pass forward into the middle, and the first player from each line goes for the ball. The player who gets the ball tries to dribble it through either gate, and the other tries to win the ball and stop them. If they win the ball, they can then try to go through either gate themselves. The duel ends with a goal or when the ball goes out of the area, and the players return to the back of their lines. Contact is allowed, but sliding tackles are forbidden. The area is approximately 16 × 20 metres.

Quality Factors

In the race to the ball, take a running line to it so that your body comes between the opponent and the ball. The player who gets the ball keeps their body between the ball and the opponent: the ball on the foot furthest away, contact with the side of the body, and the arm feels for the opponent without pushing. In contact, stay on the balls of your feet, with knees bent and the centre of gravity low. First touch away from the defender, towards the gate on the side they are not on. The defender looks for contact with the side of the body and wins the ball from an upright stance, with no sliding tackle.

Key Questions

  • Which foot do you keep the ball with when the opponent is beside you?
  • Which gate is free, and how do you see it?
  • What are your arms doing in contact, and where is the line with pushing?
  • Defender: how do you recognise the moment when winning the ball will succeed?

Training Info

  • 4+ players