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Football: 1 player

1 player DRILLS
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Cone collectors

Get your players to stand an equal distance around the cones in the middle. There should be one less cone than there are players - so in this instance there are 10 cones and 11 players. On the coach's call players sprint into the middle and try to collect a cone. Once players have collected a cone they should run back to their starting position.

Conditioned games

Crocodiles

3 pairs of players start by holding hands. They are the crocodiles. All other players have 1 ball each. The players dribble around trying to avoid the crocodiles. If a crocodile kicks a players ball out of the area, the player then links hands with the crocodile. Together, they chase other players. Play until 1 player remains.

Dribbling

Pass Race

Set up with 3 gates spread out as shown. 1 ball in front of each gate. They race through the area (zig-zagging) passing their balls in between the cones (1 point for every successful pass). Upon completing the passes they take 1 of the balls at the end and dribble it back through the starting area, 1 player back gets the bonus point.

Agility

Passes in 2's - forwards & backwards

Set up with 2 cones as shown with 2 players at each end and 1 ball. Player with the ball passes the ball across and then quickly drops off. Their partner should move to the ball and take a good first touch before passing the ball back with their second touch and then dropping off. The players should look to move backwards when off the ball and forwards when the pass is made to them.

Passing and Receiving

Passes in 3s - middle man move

Set up as shown with 2 cones (the disatance of which between can be modified depending on ability or challenge you want to set your players). 1 player on each cone and 1 player in the middle, 1 ball between the 3. Play starts with 1 end player playing a 1,2 with the middle player and then playing a pass long to the other end player. Middle player should move towards the end player he passes to and then quickly accelerate with the pass on that player to get to a new position to repeat the sequence with the other end player.

Passing and Receiving

Play ball wide

Player 1 playes the ball to player 2 to draw the defender player 2 passes the ball back to player 1 when the defender comes close to player 1 player 1 passes the ball wide to player 3 who runs down the wing and crosses the ball into the box either to the near or far post depending on where the defender moves to.

Crossing and Finishing

Rats and Rabbits

Set out two lines of six discs approximately 5 yards apart. Station 1 player by each disc. One ball per player. One team is the "Rats" and the others the "Rabbits". When the coach calls out "Rabbits", the rabbits team chase the rats to the end line. The rabbits must tag the rats before they reach the safety of their end line. Repeat in the opposite direction when the coach calls out "Rats".

Dribbling

Roll Passes in 2's

Set up as shown with gates evenly spread out. 2 players with 1 ball. The drill starts with 1 player rolling the ball across their body and then passing through the gate to their partner. They continue rolling and passing from one end to the other. Players will have to change which foot they roll with and which they pass with depending on which direction they are going.

Passing and Receiving

Stealth Dribble

Station 1 player on each end line and a lone defender in the middle of the area. Repeat in 3 other areas for a total of 12 players. The outer players each have a ball. The object of the game is for the outer players to get over the middle line without losing the ball to the middle player. The middle player can only move along the line between the cones. If the defender wins the ball, then the attacking player and defender change places and roles. Keep score of how many times a player can get over the line without losing the ball.

Dribbling

Turn and Pass 2

In groups of minimum of 4. Set out the 2 goals behind which each team stands. 1 player from one group goes to the centre square of cones to receive the ball from the other side. They receive the ball, turn and pass the ball through the gate to their partner to score a point. Then the player from the other team runs into the centre square to receive the ball and turn to pass the ball through the gate to their partner.

Passing and Receiving

1 vs 1 - Under Pressure Dribbl...

The red player attacks the blue player in the area between the blue cones. The blue player cannot tackle but can only put red player under pressure.

General

1 v 1 up and down 1 v 1 skills...

The drills starts with one player from group 1 (reds) running with a ball to the opposing goal, trying to score.<br /><br /> As soon as they have a shot at goal, a player from group 2 (yellows) runs with a ball to the other goal to try and score. The player that had the first shot has to try and defend against the player from group 2.<br /><br /> When this player scores or loses the ball to the defender, the next player starts from group 1 and the player that had the shot becomes the new defender. The player that had the first shot and then defended, goes to the back of there queue. (Players should always finish up in the same queue and attack the same goal).

General

1v1 to Goal 1 v 1 skills - Foo...

Organise the players into groups of 3, with 1 goalkeeper and 2 outfield players. Player 1 and player 2 stand or sit facing away from goal. The goalkeeper then throws the ball out and player 1 and player 2 play the ball back to the goal, passing between them before shooting.

General

1-2 and cross Crossing and Fin...

Set up as shown. Player 1 starts with the ball in the middle of the field and plays a 1-2 pass with player 2 before passing out wide to player 3. At this point, players 1 and 2 run towards the penalty area, ready to receive a cross, while one of the defenders goes out wide to put pressure on the crosser. Player 3 will cross the ball into the box where players 1 and 2 will try to beat the defender to it and score.

General

3 vs 2 - Two channels 1 v 1 sk...

2 players in one channel attack 1 defender whilst another attacker and defender wait in the other channel. The 2 attackers in the first channel play a 2 vs 1, trying to score a goal. However the 2nd defender can choose to come across and help defend making it a 2 vs 2 . Having drawn both defenders across into one channel the 2 attackers may choose to use the other channel and exploit the open space or continue to attack without using the unmarked player.

General

Suicides - Speed Endurance Agi...

Set up to the side, using the pitch markings as an indicator of where to place your cones (on the touchline, in line with the 6 yard box, penalty spot and baseline).On hearing your whistle players sprint as fast as they can to the first line and touch the ground with their hand before quickly changing direction and running back to the touchline.Repeat to the next line.Finish the suicide by running as fast as you can to the furthest cone, touch the line and run back to your original starting point.

General

First Touch And Rebound Shot S...

Player 1 jogs backwards to the far cone and then sprints out to the first cone, ready to receive the pass from player 1.Player 2 must take only one touch to set themselves for their shot on goal.After shooting the first ball player 2 should then run into the box to pounce onto the ball played in by player 3.

General

2 v 1 overlap switch Shooting ...

Two attacking players against one defender. The player who starts with the ball passes the ball square to the other player. This player runs towards the defender (isolating the defender) allowing the other player to loop round and overlap them to receive the ball in the space created. After receiving the pass this player should then have a shot at goal.

General

1 touch interior exterior Drib...

Player(s) dribbles from one cone to the other.He/She takes 1 touch with the interior of the foot followed by 1 touch with the exterior while maintaing a good rhythm of forward movement.

General

3 man weave Passing and Receiv...

3 players run down the pitch, passing and interchanging to finish with a shot at goal. Player in the middle starts with the ball. They pass the ball to one of the outside players and overlaps around them. The second player passes the ball to the player on the other side and overlaps around them. Each player receives the ball from the same player every time and they should overlap around the player they pass to. 

General

Bedknobs and Broomsticks 1 v 1...

Position players in 2 lines on each side of the area as shown in the diagram. Number each player from 1-6. This game is a throw back to the Disney classic, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The coach calls out a number between 1 and 6. The numbered player from each team must run around the outside of the field and through the goal at the top or bottom of the diagram onto the field of play. The coach serves a ball into the middle of the area. Players must compete to win the ball and attempt to dribble or shoot the ball through the goal at the opposite end of the area from which they entered.

General

3 Man Pass and Run Passing and...

Players pass and then move to find an empty cone. Players should take 1 touch. With bigger numbers in your training session you can increase the number of cones and the number of balls accordingly.

General

1 Vs. 1 Channelling Defending ...

Two teams line up side by side behind their cones. When the player with the ball sets off to run around the cone the drill is live. The player with the ball must run around the cone and then try to score a goal in the defender's side goal by dribbling the ball across the line. This will score them a point. The defenders have to try and force the player to run across their own goal line or tackle them and run the ball over the line themselves. The winner is the first team to 3 goals. After this you can swap the roles around, with the attackers now defending and vice versa.

General

1v1 1 v 1 skills - Football Dr...

The feeder starts with the ball. They play the ball with a push pass forward. As the ball is played players 1 and 2 sprint to the ball. The first player to touch the ball becomes the attacker while the other player becomes the defender.

General

Movement to Receive 1 Passing ...

Set up as shown with 2 players and 1 ball between the two.The area should be a 4x4 diamond, however the shape and size can be modified depending on the level of your players and the main aspect movement to receive that you want to achieve.Play begins with the internal player making movement to receive the ball and then exiting the diamond. Once they exit the diamond the player on the far end makes a pass into the middle player who controls and passes back.The sequence is repeated with the middle player making a new movement to receive on a different side of the diamond.

General

Ball Shield - whole body 1 v 1...

Set up as shown with 2 players and 1 ball between the two.The area should be a 4x4 diamond, however the shape and size can be modified depending on the level of your players and the main aspect of ball shielding you want to achieve.Play begins with the external player making a firm pass into the middle player. The external player closes down his pass and aims to win the ball back.The player in the middle aims to keep the ball, shielding it away from the defender for 10 seconds and then acclerates out of the diamond.

General

One v One Tag Dribbling - Foot...

Two players with a ball each stand in a 10x10 square. Player 1 has 1 minute to tag player 2 as many times as possible on the shoulder. You must maintain possession of the ball at all times; if player 2's ball leaves the square then player 1 is awarded a tag. After every tag the tagger must retire to a corner. After 1 minute, player 2 tries to beat player 1's score.

General

Shadow defending 1 v 1 skills ...

Players are working in pairs. Player 1 dribbles forward and player 2 shadows them, not trying to win the ball but trying to put pressure on the player in possession.

General

1, 2, 3 Pass and Move Passing ...

There are two triangles in this drill, both using the same top point player (player 5). Players in the top triangle pass in an anti-clockwise direction and players in the lower triangle pass in a clock-wise direction. Both pairs of players must use the middle player as their third passing option.

General

Drag and Push to Beat Defender...

Player A passes to player B and closes Player B down. Player B attacks Player A. Use the lateral drag with sole and push back to deceive the defender and beat them on the outside. Player B passes to Player A to restart practice.

General

Football: Dribble and turn 1 -...

With a ball each players dribble the ball around the area with their right foot only.

General

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1 player ANSWERS
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Pass and move for under 11s football team

i run a under 11s football team and they really need to work on pass and move do u know any good drills that will be able to help there young boys and girls out....many thanks gary ives - submitted via email

Sportplan Team Coach, United Kingdom

how can I progress this session?

Cedric Pisani Coach, Malta

Do you have a basic warm up routine for primary PE?

Do you have a basic warm up routine for primary PE lessons?

Archived User Coach

i currently run a u13 boy footballs team. What would?

i currently run a u13 boy footballs team. What would be a good drill to get the players to shut the ball down.Because my defenders seem to stand back and let them shoot thanks dennis

dennis Coach, England

I currently train a under 7's team - i cuurently use?

I currently manage and coach a under 7's team - i curently use the FA Level 1 coaching games as well as games from these webpages. We go indoor training from this week in a school hall - could anyone point me in the direction of some training games that could take place indoors - thanks in advance

Andy Coach, England

What is the best pre-game warm up routine for U9 boys?

What is the best warm up routine for U9 boys before a game? Thanks Coach Heath

Archived User Coach

How to improve first touch for U12s?

Does anyone have any tips / advice or good drills that can help improve first touch for under 12's age group? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Archived User Coach

Where to start training my two U12 groups?

I am coaching two U12 boys groups. They have minimal training in the past, I have worked on dribbling and passing. Just starting 1 v 1s. I am training now in a gym, was wondering if any one had any drills that would work with approx. 15 kids?

Archived User Coach

Numbered players on sketch board

I can't find numbered counters so I can refer to player 1, 2 etc. they are on the sessions I receive by email, but on the sketch board, I can only find A, D, F or coloured player counters - it's getting very frustrating as I'm sure they are somewhere! Please help.

Richard Egglesfield Coach, England

A decent pre-match warm up routine for U12s?

Hi, can anyone suggest an effective warm up routine / drill for an under 12's side before a match?

Steve ODonoghue Coach, England

How to defend high airballs? For u-17?

Hello coach, My question is - How to defend high airballs? Actully we prefer to play small passes and ground balls more. So we face problems with airballs. Teams here play more airballs. We win , but feel the pressure of the airball situation. Kindly suggest some drills for the same please.Thankingyou.

Archived User Coach

First time Coaching Gig

Hello All,I will be coaching my daughter's U16 Div 2 team this year, I just wanted to ask fellow coaches and mangers what to expect. I'm not new to the game, in fact I currently play in the state league myself, but there is a difference between playing the game and actually managing the team. I guess my questions lie around team management techniques and what should I look out for or what should I be aware of? The season starts in a month and training commences next week, so what is the best way to get the kids in shape fast? Thank you.

Teddy Peters Coach, Australia

keeping heads up when dribbling

I need some drills to show my team how t keep their head up when dribbling with the ball without the drill being boring for them because when I try the traffic lights drill or something like that they switch off really quickly but I'm also trying to teach them that when someone passes the ball to them they always look what's around them before they get the ball and I want to know if their is any drills I can use

Nat taylor Coach, England

STRIKER VS DEFENDER SESSION HELP

IS THERE ANY SESSIONS THAT CAN IMPROVE STRIKERS AND DEFENDERS IN 1V1 SITUATIONS FROM CROSSES AND FROM STRAIGHT ON

Tom England Coach, England

can i

can i have a good cones drill

andrew shenton Coach, England

rondo

make it only 1 yellow player in the middle

kai manley Coach, United States of America

Managing Substitutions u9s - 7...

Hi I have quite a large squad (11) for my U9s team. Sometimes not all of them turn up but when they do managing the substitutions can be a nightmare. Have tried planning it out and making 3 subs on a rotation every 6 or 7 minutes. This works OK, just wondered how others do it? Thanks! Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Andrew Ellis Coach, England

Team thrashed every week - whe...

Team keep getting thrashed every week - where to start? Having been the sole coach/manager of a little league team for the past two years, this year I lost all my senior players. I was therefore presented with 10 brand new lads, some of whom have never played competitive football. We are 8 games in and my lads are getting thrashed every week. The main problems are that they cannot get the ball out of their half, positions are usually a mess, finishing and chance creation are non-existent, and they don't apply any pressure or are unable to tackle. The main problems are keeping the ball as a team, getting it in the opponents half and staying there, and creating/finishing chances. I only have 1 and a half hours a week with them. I don't really know what to do, and I'm a little desperate. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks for literally anything.

Coach, England

Children misbehaving in traini...

Hello, I am currently coaching an u9's boys team and a majority of them are well behaved and want to play football, but the odd 1or2 tend to mess around at training which distracts the others. I have sat them out in training and spoken to the parents but still this goes on. Do I decide to kick them out of the team altogether or does anyone know the miracle cure to stop this happening?

duane Coach, England

Disciplining for misbehaviour ...

Disciplining for misbehaviour? 8-11 year olds, they dont really get bored because i know that sometimes that can be the cause. How or what can i apply a bit of strictness into the team.

Archived User Coach

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