1v1 Shooting Drill

PLAYERS:

TIME:

15-25 min.

FOCUS:

Shooting

AGE:

U8+

INTENSITY:

8/10

SETUP

Position a cone approximately 10-15 meters outside the box, straight out from goal.
Divide the players into two teams and arrange them in two lines behind the cone, one line on each side.
Place a goalkeeper in goal.
Have a coach positioned behind the two lines with an ample supply of balls to start the game.
Adjust distances between cones based on the age and skill level of the players.

WHY USE THIS DRILL?

The 1v1 Shooting Drill offers an excellent opportunity for players to enhance their attacking and defensive skills in realistic through-ball 1v1 situations commonly encountered in actual games. Players develop a heightened situational understanding when dealing with unpredictable through-balls played behind the defensive line, benefiting both attackers and defenders.

This drill particularly focuses on:

Situational Understanding: Players develop awareness of unpredictable through-ball situations, vital for both attacking and defending.
Balance and Body Use: Players learn to stay balanced in a high-speed run and to use their body to gain an advantage without committing a foul.
Shooting Under Pressure: The drill emphasizes shooting at full speed with an opponent closing in, mirroring real-game scenarios.
Realistic Training: Through-ball 1v1 situations happen in every game, so the practice transfers straight into matchday.
Defensive Skills: Defenders learn to apply pressure during the shot, disrupting the attacker’s balance and forcing a less accurate attempt on goal.

HOW IT WORKS

The first player from each line steps up to the cone, facing goal with their eyes in a straight line towards it. The coach initiates by playing a ball forward past them. As the players see the ball coming from behind, both sprint after it and a 1v1 situation unfolds towards goal, with the goalkeeper live. Once the ball either finds the back of the net or goes out of bounds, the pair return to the back of their lines and a new pair steps up.

Coaching Flexibility: Coaches have the liberty to introduce variety in the initiation of the ball, fostering creativity and adaptability in players. Vary the starting pass with a looped ball, a pass to one side, a direct pass into feet, or an intentionally awkward pass — each challenges the players to adjust to a different scenario. This diversity sharpens reflexes and decision-making and prepares them for how these moments actually arrive in a match.

OTHER KEY POINTS

Watch out for players committing fouls during the 1v1 – reward strong, legal use of the body over shirt-pulling and blocking.
Encourage attackers to shoot early and at full speed rather than taking an extra touch.
Encourage players to stay on their toes, maintaining a state of readiness to receive the ball.
The drill should be seen as inspiration. So feel free to adapt the drill to suit your team’s specific needs or focus areas.