1 v 1 training for young players

By David Baird

Follow @DavidBairdSC

A session to encourage young players to go past defenders




Successful 1 v 1 formula

• Close Control
  
• Change of direction
  
• Change of speed
  

Close control – use the front of your small toe to approach the defender, touch the ball with every step you take

Change direction – come in slow (60%) and straight (commit defender), perform a change of direction, scissors, step over, fake take etc

Change of speed – slightly bigger touch to take you in the direction that you want to go, accelerate at 100%


Progression 1:

Progression 2:

Progression 3:

Use the teammate as a diversion or if they are in a better position to get past the defender pass the ball


Progression 4:

Passing and Moving 2

By David Baird

Follow @DavidBairdSC


A session to encourage young players to pass, move and support the ball




Passing:

• Inside of the foot
  
• Punch through the ball
  
• Head down
  
• lock ankle – push your toes towards the sky
  
• Aim with standing foot and hips
  

Progression 1:

Progression 2:

Progression 3:

Notes: Support play, always show your feet to the ball and get into open space. 

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Crossing and Finishing Drill 

Progressions:

1. Add 1 defender in the box
2. Add 2 defenders in the box 

by David Baird

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Soft Touch, Quick Strike

By David Baird

Follow @DavidBairdSC

A session to improve functional play of the striker 








Progression 1:

Progression 2:

Progression 3:

Progression 4: 

The Weighted Pass

This is a simple drill that I was explaining to a friend, just uploading this so he can see it.
I often progress this to a race between the 4 teams (or however many you have) once the receiving player gets through the gate, the next pass can be played, first to 30.

Getting the ball wide and delivery

This session looks at phases of play to get the ball wide.

Movement off the ball is vital to get into goal scoring positions.

By David Baird





After a good warm up start with the following drill:

Instruction:
The blue team will perform the phase of play, once the shot on goal has been taken, the white team should start as the blue team make their recovery run back to their starting positions. The aim is to complete the phase successfully, avoiding the traffic of the returning players. Speed of play challenge – complete the phase and shoot before the other team are back on their markers


Coaching:
Encourage the winger to check away from the play then back, asking for the ball to feet. The defender should play the wingers back foot so he can play 1 or 2 touch into the striker who should have also have checked away then to the ball, moving the defender away momentarily.
The return ball should be played in front of the winger.
Midfielder should time his run to just inside the box for a cut back and first time shot. Attacker should be the back post option – staying onside and looking for rebounds


Progression 1:

Conditioned Game:

More: Football drills and sessions

Play Striker, Set Midfielder, Unlock a Wide Player to Goal

by @DavidBairdSC

Progression 1:

Conditioned Game: 

More drills and sessions by David Baird soccer coach: Soccer drills and sessions

Changing the point of attack

by  @DavidBairdSC