Mastering 1v1 situations

1v1 situations, whether from an attacking or defensive perspective, are critical moments that can define the outcome of a match. They happen all over the pitch in every minute of a game. Developing the skills to excel in these encounters is essential for players’ confidence and overall performance.  

Here’s how to approach coaching players to be effective in 1v1 situations. 

Understand the importance of 1v1 situations 

The ability to win 1v1 battles can significantly impact a player’s contribution to the team’s success. In attacking scenarios, beating an opponent can create goalscoring opportunities, while in defence, effectively challenging an attacker can prevent goals.

 

Emphasise to your players the importance of 1v1 situations and how mastering these skills can elevate their game and benefit the team. Players need to have confidence to back themselves in either scenario, make the right decisions and be brave to take a player on, compete for the ball, or force a player into a less threatening area. 

Develop technical skills 

The foundation of effective 1v1 play is strong technical skills. Focus on the following areas during training sessions: 

• Dribbling: Encourage players to practice dribbling with both feet, using various parts of the foot. Dribbling practices should include changes in pace and direction to simulate game scenarios. 
• Ball control: Ensure players are comfortable controlling the ball under pressure. Use practices that require quick touches and maintaining possession in tight spaces. 
• Feints and moves: Teach a variety of dribbling moves and feints, such as step-overs, scissors, and shoulder drops. These moves can help players deceive defenders and create space. 
• First touch: Emphasise the importance of a good first touch to set up effective dribbling or passing opportunities. Practice receiving the ball with different parts of the body under varying conditions, such as pressure from in front, behind and to the side, in the middle of the pitch and out wide by the touchline. These all present different and realistic challenges and decisions for players. 

 

Foster tactical awareness 

Understanding when and how to engage in 1v1 situations is crucial. Develop your players’ tactical awareness with these strategies: 

• Positioning: Teach players about proper positioning, both offensively and defensively. Offensively, they should look for spaces and opportunities to exploit. Defensively, they need to maintain a good stance and balance to challenge the opponent effectively and be able to react to the attacker’s movements, while also proactively forcing an attacker into a safer area. 
• Decision-making: Encourage players to make quick, decisive choices. In attacking 1v1s, they should decide whether to dribble, pass or shoot. In defensive 1v1s, they should determine the best way to block or tackle the opponent, or force them backwards, towards the touchline or into a crowded area. 
• Anticipation: Train players to read the game and anticipate their opponent’s moves. This involves studying body language, recognising patterns and reacting swiftly. 

 

Mental preparation 

1v1 situations often come with high pressure, so mental preparation is key. Focus on building the following psychological attributes: 

• Confidence: Boost players’ confidence through positive reinforcement and by celebrating their successes.  
• Resilience: Teach players to stay composed and recover quickly from mistakes. 
• Focus: Encourage players to stay focused and present during 1v1 situations. Visualisation techniques and mindfulness exercises can help improve concentration. 

Practice through realistic scenarios 

Implement practices and small-sided games that simulate game-like 1v1 scenarios: 

• 1v1 practices: Set up practices where players face each other in controlled 1v1 situations. Vary the starting positions, distances and game contexts to keep training dynamic and relevant. 
• Small-sided games: Use small-sided games to create more frequent 1v1 situations. These games help players apply their skills and decision-making in a competitive environment. 
• Scenario-based training: Create specific scenarios where players must engage in 1v1 duels, such as attacking a defender on the wing or defending against an attacker in the box.