Receive, Turn and Beat the Defender: 1v1 to Goal
An attacker receives with a defender at their back, protects the ball, turns and beats them 1v1 to shoot. Dribbling under pressure for older players.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 5–12
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 25 × 20 m
- Type
- Technical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Technical: 1v1 attacking, Dribbling, Receiving / first touch, Finishing
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Neutral / support
- Goalkeeper
- Pass
- Dribble
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
Forwards and midfielders often receive with their back to goal and an opponent tight behind them. In this 1v1 the attacker must check away, receive while protecting the ball, feel where the defender is and turn to the free side, then beat them and finish before a line. It demands the body use, close control and change of pace that older players need in matches.
Objective
Receive with a defender behind, shield the ball, turn to the free side and beat the defender 1v1 to finish.
Organisation
- 25 × 20 m area in front of a goal with a goalkeeper. A shooting line 8 m from goal, marked with cones on the sides.
- The server stands on the far line with the balls; attackers and defenders queue beside them.
- With more than 8 players, set up a second area with mini goals or rotate the queues faster.
How it works
- The attacker starts 9 m from the goal line with the defender touching their back.
- The attacker checks away to get free and the server passes into their feet.
- The attacker must turn and beat the defender, then shoot before the shooting line.
- If the defender wins the ball, they score by passing back to the server. Then swap roles.
- Each attacker gets 6 attempts per round. 3 rounds.
Coaching points
- Before the pass, check away and come back so you have a metre of space.
- Receive side-on, with the arm and body between the defender and the ball.
- Feel the defender: if they push from one side, turn to the other.
- Once you are level with the defender, accelerate across their path so they cannot recover.
- Shoot early: as soon as you have the angle, before the defender recovers.
Progressions
- The defender may tackle from the moment the pass is played.
- Add a second defender who starts on the shooting line (1v2 near goal).
- The attacker has 5 seconds from the pass to shoot.
Regressions
- The defender is passive until the attacker's first touch.
- The server passes to the attacker's chosen foot.
- Move the shooting line to 12 m.
Variations
- Wall pass option: a supporting player on the side can be used once (2v1).
Key principles
- Space before receiving.
- Protect the ball with the body.
- Turn to the free side and attack the goal.
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