Organizing a fun warm-up activity can be a challenge at youth level when players arrive at different times. However, if the coach has a plan in place and the exercise fits the activity, it can have a huge impact on the players and the session. Engagement in a youth practice can be achieved through a variety of ways: fun, competition, or sometimes simply challenging a specific technique can all get a great response from players. This week we will take a look at three 1v1 focused exercises that coaches can use to start their session with. If you enjoy the sessions, please check out more resources here and also subscribe to the MSC YouTube page.Â
You can watch the full breakdown below:
Exercise One: Over the River
10x10 yards square
One player stands inside the box with a ball. Other players stand on the outside of the area with ball at their feet.Â
Idea of the game is for the players on the outside of the square to dribble their ball through the square to another side without being tagged by the central player.
1 point for going to the left or right side
3 points for getting to opposite side
Exercise Two: 1v1 Battles
20x20 yard area with a 5x5 yard central zone
Four attackers are positioned in the middle
One defender protects each goal
On coaches signal, attackers choose one goal to attack in a 1v1 situation
After the attack, players switch roles
Exercise 3: 2v2 into Gates
10x10yds area with 4 gates, one on each side of the square.Â
4 players, 2 with a ball in zone (2 without a ball, on the outside of the square).Â
To score the inside player must dribble through any goal.Â
Outside players try stop the player from scoring by standing in the gate.
See how many goals can be scored in 1 minute before swapping the middle player
