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2017s: Brave 1v1
12 players · 2 coaches · cage · habit: lift each other
| Minutes | Block | Game |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 10 | 3v3 | |
| 10 to 40 | Station 1 and Station 2, 15 minutes each | Station 1: Back to Back, Station 2: Waves |
| 40 to 60 | Match | A match |
0 to 10 min 3v3
Set up two small pitches with a goal at each end. As children arrive they go straight in: 1v1, then 2v2, then 3v3. Coaches feed a spare ball in from the side the moment one goes out. No throw-ins or corners: dribble it in or pass it in, to keep it fast. The match is the warm-up.
10 to 40 min Station 1 and Station 2, 15 minutes each
Two groups of about 6. Group 1 starts on Station 1, group 2 on Station 2. Swap at 25 minutes. A coach at each station.
Station 1
Back to Back
Practice for beating a player in a 1v1 with a quick change of direction.
Set up
- Call the two ends End A and End B. Put the ball on the middle of End A's line.
- The two players stand back to back in the middle of the pitch: Player 1 faces End A, Player 2 faces End B.
Stage 1: play it
- Player 1 shouts Go! and both players run to the end they are facing and around its marker cone.
- Player 1 collects the ball at End A and tries to dribble it over End B's line, while Player 2 comes back from End B to defend.
- Swap who faces the ball every turn, and change partners after 5 turns each.
- Each player counts their own successful dribbles out of 5 and tries to beat that number with the next partner.
Stage 2: progress it
A narrower pitch (5 m).
Stage 3: progress it
The attacker must do a fake or change of direction before crossing.
If it's not working: The defender only moves side to side.
Keeping everyone moving: Every pair has its own pitch and both players run every go.
Three things to say
- Run at the defender to make them stop.
- Change direction when they commit.
- If you lose it, run straight back and have another go.
You need: cones (6 per pair), ball (1 per pair)
Station 2
Waves
Attack, then stay on to defend the next wave.
Set up
- Mark a grid of about 20 by 15 with a goal.
- Two teams at the side, a ball each.
Stage 1: play it
- Two players play 1v1. Whoever scores stays on to defend in the next 1v1.
- From then on, each player takes it in turns to attack first and then defend, before returning to their team to rest until they go again.
- If the defender wins the ball they can counter attack.
Stage 2: progress it
The same game in a 2v1.
Stage 3: progress it
The same game in a 2v2.
Stage 4: progress it
Remove or add a goalkeeper.
Stage 5: progress it
Add a time limit to score.
Keeping everyone moving: Set up several small grids so waves come every few seconds and no one rests for long. No score kept between teams.
Three things to say
- First touch, dribbling and 1v1 skills.
- Change of direction and speed, running with the ball.
- Defending: body shape, close down, slow down.
You need: balls, bibs, cones, goal
From the Irish FA Grassroots Resource Booklet
40 to 60 min Match
A match
One big pitch, 6v6 with goalkeepers. Kick-ins or dribble-ins instead of throw-ins, to keep the touches up. A spare ball comes in the moment one goes out. One coach refs, the other feeds spare balls from the side.
Equipment for the whole session
- cones (6 per pair)
- ball (1 per pair)
- balls
- bibs
- goal
Habit of the week: Lift each other
Say it at the start, watch for it all session, name one moment on the walk off.
Reminders
- Drinks when moving. The huddle is the walk off: one moment of the habit, with the child's name.
- A ball at every foot. Nobody stands without one for 30 seconds.
- No queues and nobody is ever out.
- Talk under 30 seconds. Show it, don't tell it.
- Every game has stages: start at stage 1 and move on when it is working.
This week at home
For parents: Wall Shield, a Brave 1v1 game for the garden or the park.