2 v 1 Situations 

When presented with a 2 v 1 situation when attacking it is important to make these situations count, make sure young players are aware of the options available to them when in possession and the movements they should make off the ball. The tempo should be quick as these situations wont last long and players should be encouraged to get towards goal early and look for rebounds.

Warm Up

Set up and instruction: 2 V 1 to goal. The centre player starts with the ball and plays a pass to a side player of his/her choice. The player who does not receive a pass is now the defender and must react quickly to stop the 2 attackers scoring. Play 2 v 1 to goal until a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play. The defender becomes the centre player next time.

Coaching points:

• Support the player on the ball
• Ask for the ball to feet or look for runs in behind the defender and closer to goal 
• Look for rebounds
• Communication - if you are in a good position shout for the ball
• Pass and move

Progressions:

Limit the number of touches to encourage quick play.

Main Drill

Set up and Instruction: 

2 v 1 Overlap

The attacker who starts with the ball passes to his/her team mate and overlaps quickly to support. Once the central attacker passes the ball to start the drill the defender instantly rushes out to defend the 2 v 1 situation.

If the attackers score, the defender must defend again next time.

Coaching points:

• Attackers - what choices do you have in possession? Use the overlapping player as a diversion and dribble or pass and move with the supporting player
• Overlapping player - overlap quickly to support and stay wide. Call for the ball if you are in a good position to receive the ball or run onto it. 
• Defender - get out quickly to force the offside, shut down the man on the ball showing him away from the goal and his team mate.
• Communication between the 2 attackers and communication between the defender and goalkeeper 

Conditioned Game

Set up and Instruction: 

2 v 1 Continuous game 

2 teams of 4 players with 2 full time goalkeepers. Each team defends one goal. A player from each team starts on the pitch.

The red team starts with 1 player dribbling onto the pitch to create 2 v 1 to goal. Once a goal is scored or the ball leaves play, the player responsible for the goal/ball leaving play must leave the field (red player collecting the ball and joining the line again) and a blue player will dribble on and create a 2 v 1 in their favor.

@DavidBairdSC

Transition Session #1

Age Group: 12-13 Years Old Ability Level: Beginner Gender: Boys/Girls

Equipment Required: Bibs, balls, cones

Aim of Session: Encouraging quick transition play from defense to attack and building confidence in young players to do so.

 

Technical Warm Up 

Set up a 40x20 area, with players divided between the 4 outside cones. In this exercise the red players starts to dribble the ball, on his/her first touch, the blue player comes to put pressure on his/her dribble. Once the dribbling player passes halfway they play a diagonal pass into the other red team. The process continues. Encourage players to join the line diagonal from where the start to keep a smooth rotation and after 5 minutes swap the red and blue teams.

Coach:

• Be Positive 
• With first touch forward and into space 
• Attack the ball as it approaches you
• Correct weight of pass

Progression:

• Dribbling player must cut across the oncoming defender, again coach a positive attitude towards dribbling and passing forward.

Transition Drill

Instruction: Split an area of 60x40 into two halves. Play 7 v 7 in one half, there is a neutral goalkeeper in each half (represented in the diagram as 'R'). The team in possession must make 5 passes then play the ball into the goalkeeper on the opposite side of the field, at which point every player must transfer into that half. On a turnover the ball must go into the opposite goalkeeper.

Coaches Points:

Timing/type of pass and run 

Speed of transition, support early 

Movement off the ball is essential from all players to give options

Progression:

To transfer, you must play a teammate into the other half before it goes to the goalkeeper

You must dribble into the other half before it goes to the goalkeeper

Play 2 touch

Transition Conditioned Game

Instruction: Split a 60x40 area into thirds with a goalkeeper occupying a goal at either end. There is no tackling allowed in the middle zone and there should only be one player there at a time. The red team start with the ball and release a player into the middle third, this player plays into the final third and supports to create a 4 v 4 situation and the team aim to score. On the turnover the blue team release a player into the middle zone and make advantage of a 4 v 3, the sequence continues, play first to 5 goals.

Coaching Points:

Speed of play, fast!

Timing of pass and runs, movement off the ball to be available

Use the extra attacker for give and go's or diversion runs

Mindset - ready to change quickly from defense to attack when your team wins the ball

Progression:

• Attacker can drop into the middle zone to receive the ball, defender can go with him