DRIBBLING IN

GAME SITUATIONS
AG E P H AS E : U 1 2 - U 1 6
SESSION PLAN
SESSION OVERVIEW DRIBBLING IN GAME SITUATIONS

LEVEL PART 2: 2v1 ATTACKING KEY

• U12-U16 • This practice features two attackers attempting to beat Ball movement
a single defender in two zones before trying to score
past the goalkeeper. Player movement
SESSION OBJECTIVES • Defenders are locked into their zones. The first defender without the ball
can’t recover back once the two attackers have moved
To develop a team’s understanding of dribbling in game into the second zone. Player movement
situations to create goalscoring opportunities, including: • Once each attacking phase has finished, the practice with the ball
will repeat.
• Being expressive and creative in 1v1 situations
• Making good decisions in possession, whether to pass
the ball or to dribble PART 3: CONDITIONED
• Looking to drive forward and commit defenders to SMALL-SIDED GAME Players

enable opportunities to play forward

PART 1: 1v1 PRACTICE
• This is a 1v1 practice in which pairs of players combine
to release a third player into a 1v1 against a defender.
That player should try to beat the defender before
attempting to score past a goalkeeper.
• Once eah 1v1 duel has finished, the practice will repeat
with the ball starting from the opposite side.
• This a 7v7 game played on a pitch with a central area
and two wide channels. Cones
• Each team will have two different ways to score
points. They can either score in a main goal, past the
Flat marker
goalkeeper, or in either of the two wide mini-goals.
• More points are awarded if a team scores in one of the
wide mini-goals after beating a defender in one of the
wide channels. Cones with
• The players can move freely, but only one player from flat marker
each team can be in the wide channels at any one time.

Goal

Mini-goal

Mannequin Pole

Football

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

1v1 PRACTICE DRIBBLING IN GAME SITUATIONS

FUNCTION
• This practice is a 1v1 played in an area measuring
25m x 20m and set up as shown in the diagram.
• Three sets of players are positioned on flat markers
4
at one end of the playing area. A single defender
(Player D) starts between two poles in the centre,
with a goalkeeper and goal at the far end.
• The practice begins with one Player A passing the ball
into the first Player B. They should then cushion their
touch into the middle of the three flat markers, for the
first Player C to run on to and attack the defender (D)

25 metres
in a 1v1 situation. The defender can only defend in line D 3
with the two poles, and cannot recover back if they
are beaten.
• An example of this, with the attacker then scoring past 2
the goalkeeper, is shown in the diagram.
• As soon as the phase has finished, either with the A A B
1 B
defender tackling the attacker or the attacker getting
a shot away, the practice will repeat from the opposite
start point. The next Player B now makes the initial pass
to the next Player A, who sets for the next Player C.
• Once every player has had a first involvement, the C
C
players will rotate clockwise to give everyone a chance
to pass, receive and attack 1v1.

20 metres

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

1v1 PRACTICE DRIBBLING IN GAME SITUATIONS

COACHING DETAIL:
TECHNICAL
ATTACK THE BALL AT SPEED
• Each Player C must attack the ball at speed, to give
them the chance to use pace as the first option when
attempting to beat the defender.
• Using the space to attack either side of the defender is
essential in trying to break pask them and score.

BE UNPREDICTABLE
• Defenders might see a pattern emerging if a player is
stronger on the right side, and only attacks the same
space each time.
• As a result, it is important to encourage players to be as
unpredictable as they can and attack the space on both
sides of the defender.

PLANNING AN ATTACK
• Encourage players to think of a plan to execute before
they are exposed to the 1v1.
• The more creative and expressive the player can be,
the better – so it is important for players to think of
different ways of beating their opponent.
• The players next in line should be thinking of a skill they
want to try and beat their opponent with.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

2v1 ATTACKING DRIBBLING IN GAME SITUATIONS

FUNCTION
• This practice is designed to create plenty of A
opportunities to dribble with the ball past defenders in
A B
1v1 situations, but also to pass to a supporting player in
a 2v1 overload.
• The attackers – here, Team A – start in two groups
at one end of a playing area of 30m x 25m. A single

25 metres
defender (B) is positioned in each half, with a goal and B
goalkeeper at each end – as shown in the diagram.
• The coach (C) begins the practice by playing a firm
pass into the first defender. They then pass into either
A
of the first pair of attackers, as shown, after which they
become a live defender against the first two attackers. A
• The two attackers (A) should attempt to cross the
halfway line without losing the ball in a 2v1 against the
first defender, before meeting another 2v1 duel in the ZONE 1 ZONE 2

opposite half of the pitch and attempting to get a shot

away – as shown in the diagram.
• Both defenders are locked into their halves – the first C
defender can’t recover into the second zone if the two
attackers get past them. 30 metres

• If either of the defenders win the ball back, they should

attempt to score in the opposite goal. Here, the two
defenders can combine with each other in a 2v2 against
the two attackers.
• Once a phase has finished with a shot or the ball going
out of the player, the attackers should retake their
positions at the back of the queue and the practice will
repeat with the next attacking pair.
• Play for a set number of blocks. Once all the attackers
have had a chance, swap so the two starting defenders
become an attacking pair for the next block.
• The practice can be adapted depending on numbers,
including the use of a second pitch.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

2v1 ATTACKING DRIBBLING IN GAME SITUATIONS

COACHING DETAIL:
IN POSSESSION
QUALITY OF PASS
• The initial pass sets the tempo and intensity of the
practice, so should be played firmly and into the back
foot of the receiver.

ATTACK WITH INTENT

• The aim is to for the attackers to get forward as quickly
as possible. This will drag each defender towards the
ball, which will give the player on the ball either a
passing option or an opportunity to use disguise and
beat the defender.

BRAVERY WITH THE DECISION

• It’s easy for players to become caught in two minds
whether to pass the ball or dribble.
• Encourage the attackers to be brave with their decision-
making and try to commit the defenders.
• If the defender tries to read a pass, this is a perfect
opportunity to dribble past them in a 1v1 battle and hit
the attacking half quickly at speed.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

CONDITIONED SMALL-SIDED GAME DRIBBLING IN GAME SITUATIONS

FUNCTION
• This is a 7v7 (including goalkeepers) small-sided game
played on a pitch of 60m x 45m and divided into
vertical thirds as shown.
• There are full-sized goals and goalkeepers in each
A
middle channel, with mini-goals at both ends of the B
B A
wide channels. A
• The team in possession can score a goal either by 1
scoring past the goalkeeper (for one point) or scoring

45 metres
in one of the wide mini-goals after successfully beating 2
B
a defender in a 1v1 duel – these goals score two points.
• The players can move freely on the pitch, but only one
B
player from each team is allowed in either wide channel
B A
at any given time.
• Central players can support and combine with the A

players in the wide channels. 3 4 5

• An example of Team A beating the defender in the wide
channel, with a combination, before scoring for two B 6
points is shown in the diagram. A
• If a goal is scored, either past the goalkeeper or in one
of the mini-goals, that team regains possession and play
restarts with the goalkeeper.
• Play for three blocks of five or six minutes, keeping
60 metres
score throughout.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16

CONDITIONED SMALL-SIDED GAME DRIBBLING IN GAME SITUATIONS

COACHING DETAIL:
IN POSSESSION
SUPPORT FROM CENTRAL PLAYERS
• To avoid predictable play, central players need to offer
support to the wide players to create alternative ways
to score.
• To do this, while remaining in their zone, they must
get closer to the wide player on the ball and not leave
them isolated.

RECOGNISING SPACE TO EXPLOIT

• Players should be challenged to recognise space to
exploit, by either dribbling with the ball or passing
quickly.
• If the central area is crowded, the in-possession team
should look to offer support in the wide channels.

SUPPORT PLAY
• As the teams have equal numbers, it’s essential the
players supporting the ball are in positions to receive
and turn, or to be set to and deal with body contact.

GIVE & GOS

• Using quick give and gos to play around players
will help take defenders out of the game and create
opportunities to play forwards.
• An example of this can be seen in the diagram on the
previous page.

AGE PHASE: U12-U16