Equipment Needed
- 4 cones per grid (2 small goals)
- Several balls
Setup
- Mark a grid roughly 15 by 10 yards with a small two-cone goal at each end.
- One attacker and one defender start in the middle of the grid; the attacker can score in either goal.
Instructions
- Coach plays a ball into the grid; the attacker's first touch should be positive, moving toward a goal.
- The defender jockeys, staying goal-side and delaying rather than diving in immediately.
- Play out the 1v1 until a goal is scored or the ball goes out of the grid, then rotate in the next pair.
- Track wins for both attackers and defenders to keep the competitive element high.
Coaching Points
- Attackers should change speed and direction, not just run in a straight line at the defender.
- Defenders stay on the balls of their feet, taking small controlled steps rather than lunging.
- First touch should set up the next move, not just stop the ball.
- Reward defenders for showing the attacker away from the goal, not just for winning the ball.
Variation
Add a second defender for a 2v1 recovery-run scenario, or restrict the attacker to their weaker foot to build two-footed comfort.