Football · Dribbling & 1v1 · Defending

1v1 to the end line

An attacker tries to dribble over the end line past one defender.

AD
Start / 5
Time
12 min
Players
4–12
Age
U7+
Area
15 × 10 m per pair
Equipment
8 cones6 balls

Setup

  1. Mark channels 15 m long and 10 m wide, one for each pair.
  2. The defender stands on one end line with the ball, the attacker on the other.

How it runs

  1. The defender passes to the attacker and steps forward to defend.
  2. The attacker scores by stopping the ball on the defender's end line.
  3. Swap roles after each go; first to 5.

Coaching points

  • Attacker, run at the defender with speed, then change pace.
  • Use a move (feint, step-over, drag-back) before the defender gets close.
  • Defender, stay side-on and push the attacker one way.

Common mistakes

  • The attacker slows down and stops in front of the defender.
  • The defender dives in and gets beaten easily.

Say it: “Speed at them, then change pace.”

Make it harder

  • Narrow the channel to 7 m.
  • The attacker has 6 seconds to score.

Make it easier

  • The defender starts from a cone 3 m back.
  • Make the channel 12 m wide.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.