Starting the session with energy and intention is a common objective for coaches. With high levels of energy and focus, it can create momentum for players to carry into the practice and impact the next exercises. 1v1 is a really beneficial way to create that energy and intention as players can experience and practice individual attacking and defending, all in a competitive setting. This week on the MSC Breakdown, we look at some creative ways that coaches can modify the training environment, while still staying consistent with session objectives as they relate to playing style and principles.
In this week's MSC Breakdown below, we take a look at different ideas and how to introduce them. Please subscribe to our YouTube page if you enjoy it.
Here are the exercise details and dimensions below:
Exercise One
Players are organized into two teams
Exercise takes place inside a 25x15 yard area
Two opposing players face each other to start with one ball
Players pass the ball back and forth waiting for the coaches signal
On the coaches signal, the player with the ball must dribble through the yellow gate (attacker), while the player without the ball sprints through the red gate (defender)
As they exit the gates, players now play 1v1 towards goal
Exercise Two
Players are organized into two teams
Exercise takes place inside a 25x15 yard area
Two opposing players start on the line facing the goal
On the coaches signal, players sprint ahead and go through the speed and agility station
Upon exiting the speed and agility work, the red player receives a pass from a coach to finish first time on goal, while the blue player must go back to get a ball
As the blue player dribbles towards goal, the red player must touch the red cone before becoming a defender in a 1v1 situation
Play 4x3 minute games and change roles after each game
Exercise Three
Players are organized into two teams
Exercise takes place inside a 20x20 yard area with a goal on two sides and each team assigned a goal
Each team has a supply of balls
Game starts with a red player playing in a 1v1 situation towards the blue goal
After the attack, the blue defender exits the pitch and the red attacker becomes a defender, as a new blue attacker enters the pitch
The new 1v1 now takes place to the other goal
Play 3x4 minute games and keep score at all times
