Make the most of a 2v1

by Tony Carr in Attacking, Practice plans

 PRINT
 Save to My Activities
The wrong timing or weight of pass, poor control, badly judged runs – all these factors and
more can combine to ruin a perfectly decent 2v1 attacking situation. Don’t let your players
make those mistakes.
What this session is about
1. Making the most of overload attacks.
2. Decision making in the final third of the pitch.
What to think about
Players must use:
 Attacking principles – committing the defender, accurate and quick passing, positive
first touch, making use of the width of the pitch, etc.
 Combination play/movement – the wall pass, overlaps, dummy runs, good angles of
support, etc.
 Communication – verbal, eye-contact, signalling, etc.
Set-up
Warm
Warm up Session Developments Game Situation
Down

10 minutes 15 minutes 15 minutes 10 minutes 10

minutes
What you get your players to do
Place a goal at one end of the area and split it into five equal zones, as shown in the top
picture.
One defender is stationed in each of the three central zones, with a goalkeeper in goal.
Defenders can’t exit their own zone.
Two lines of attackers begin at the opposite end. With one ball between two, the first player
from each line sets off.
Working as a pair, they take it in turns to combine to pass and dribble their way through the
first zone unopposed, then each of the other zones to finish with a shot at goal.
If the ball is intercepted, scored or goes off the pitch, the attackers leave the field and the next
pair begins.
Pairs of attackers work their way through five zones to take a shot at goal. Defenders can’t
leave their area.

Development
Set up an area, as shown in the middle picture. Each team has five players, including a
keeper, but only uses a maximum of two outfield players on the pitch.
One player from each team starts on the pitch. The remaining team members line up at the
opposite end from the goal they’re attacking. Another player from team A dribbles the ball
onto the pitch to make a 2v1 situation.
Play continues until the ball is dead (is scored, saved or goes off the pitch). Once that
happens, one of team A’s players leaves the pitch and joins the back of the line and one of
team B’s dribbles on, immediately creating a reverse 2v1. Play until everyone has played in
attack and defence in a 2v1. Use the offside rule.
Each team takes turns to launch 2v1 attacks.

Game situation
Mark out an area for a small-sided game that is split into thirds, as shown in the bottom
picture.
Begin with 3v3 in the central zone for all restarts (including kick-offs, goal kicks, corners and
throw-ins). A maximum of one defender and two attackers are allowed in either of the end
thirds at any one time.
Use the offside rule so players experience a match-like scenario. The team that scores most
goals wins.
In a small-sided game, only two attackers and one defender are allowed in either end zone.

What to call out

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About Tony Carr

Tony Carr is one of the most influential figures in English football. The former West Ham
Academy director has brought through – from the youth team to the first team – players like
Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and
Jermain Defoe.
View all posts by Tony Carr >
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