Diagonal 1v1 Soccer Drill - U6 to U17 Soccer Drills

This 1v1 soccer drill is great to focus on 1v1 play whether it's on the offensive or the defensive side. On the offensive side you can get attackers to attack the defenders with speed, quick change of pace with an explosive touch to get away, and getting behind the defensive players. On the defensive side, you can focus on closing down quickly, forcing the attacker to the side and closing down the attack.
Soccer Drill contributed by: Chris Johnson

Soccer Drill Info:
This is for ages U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16. Run this soccer drill with at least 8 players but no more than 18. This soccer drill should last approximately 20 minutes on a small field. Make sure you have the following equipment: cones, .

Soccer Drill Diagram

Setup:
Set up a 15 X 15 yard grid and split the team into 4 groups with 1 group on each corner of the grid. Two groups next to each other (Group A and B) will have the supply of balls.

Instructions:
The first player of group A will play a ball to the first player in group C who is on the diagonal corner. Player C becomes the attacker who attempts to attack the cone in which player A came from. Player A becomes the defender and attempts to deny player C from getting to his cone. Play is considered dead when the ball is out of the grid, or the defending player wins possession. Group B will then play to Group D and repeat.

Variations:
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Coaching Points:
Offensive: Attack defender with speed, quick explosion to get away, try to get behind the defender, and shoot at any half-chance. Defensive: Close down quickly, force the attacker to the weak side, break down, and close the attacker down. Remember Fast, Slow, Outside, Low. Fast - approach the attacker with speed. Slow - when the defender gets close to the attacker, the defender must slow their run and start stepping back with the attacker. Outside - force the attacker to the outside. Low - low center of gravity and get player low.

Focus:
Technical Dribbling, Technical Aggressiveness, Technical Deceptive Moves, Tactical Defending, Tactical Attacking, Tactical Role of Striker, Tactical Role of Defender