Played on an area of 12mx16m with four goals set out 4m wide. The player with the ball starts his attack from inside the end goal. When the attacker touches the ball the defender i
1v1
U11-U12Up the StepsFoundation60 mins6–14 playersProgressive load1v1Defending
Copy the pitch picture as closely as numbers allow.
Protect ball-rolling time; intervene in natural stoppages.
Use STEP live if challenge or success tips too far.
Session flow
8m
15m
15m
17m
5m
Arrival · 8 mins
Warm-up — 1V1 Skills (with 4 Goals).
8:00
Players arrive into a ball-rolling activity linked to the session theme.
Organisation: Small grids / mini pitches ready before players arrive.
Coaching points
Smile, connect, set the learning intention early.
High ball rolling from the first minute.
Progressions
Add directional constraints.
Regressions
Reduce pressure / enlarge space.
Technical · 15 mins
1V1 Skills (with 4 Goals).
15:00
Played on an area of 12mx16m with four goals set out 4m wide. The player with the ball starts his attack from inside the end goal. When the attacker touches the ball the defender is able to come out and defend his two goals. Players must dribble through the goals to score After their turn players switch sides. High Tempo - correct technique - looking up - ball feeling. be relaxed, good attitude towards dribbling.
This can also be used as a tag game and played without the ball to encourage agility and body movement.
Progressions
Increase pressure / reduce space / add direction.
Regressions
Remove opposition or enlarge the area to restore success.
Skill · 15 mins
Drill 2 — develop 1V1 Skills (with 4 Goals).
15:00
Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve 1v1 skills (with 4 goals). under pressure. Rotate roles often.
Organisation: SSG pitch with clear scoring / constraints linked to the theme.
Coaching points
Reward the theme with the scoring system.
Protect transition moments both ways.
Use guided discovery questions in natural stoppages.
Progressions
Shrink space / add a live defender.
Regressions
Unopposed patterns first.
Game · 17 mins
Drill 3 — game for 1V1 Skills (with 4 Goals).
17:00
Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards 1v1 skills (with 4 goals).. Minimal stoppages.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.
Coaching points
Find moments for 1v1 skills (with 4 goals)..
Help a teammate who is stuck.
Celebrate effort, not only goals.
Progressions
Remove the condition when the theme is secure.
Regressions
Neutral helper / overload.
Plenary · 5 mins
Review & cool down
5:00
Players share one learning from the session against the intention.
Organisation: Circle with the ball.
Coaching points
Listen to teammates.
Name one success.
Related drills
20yards
20yards
20yards
Drill: Collect the Treasure/Cones
Objective: Develop 1v1 skills (attacking and defending) with a focus on dribbling and decision-making.
Setup:
Create a grid (20x20 yards).
Place 10 cones in the middle of the grid, each representing "treasure."
Split players into two teams: Pirates and Defenders.
Pirates start outside the grid with a ball each.
Defenders start inside the grid without a ball.
Instructions:
The Pirates' goal is to dribble into the grid, "steal" a treasure , and dribble back out to the outside without being tackled.
Defenders try to block Pirates and win the ball. If a Defender wins the ball, they pass it out of the grid for the attacker to start again.
Each time will be timed doing the drill and the team that gets all the cones out quickest wins.
2 teams:
- Keeper in goal
- Defenders on half way
- Attackers on half way
- Attackers start with ball and on coaches say they start to attack.
- Can defence get back and delay the attack?
- Can midfield get back and defend/recover quickly?
- ATT get goals for scoring
- DEF get goals for stopping the attack
8v4 3 team game. (Barcelona Game).
Set up three teams of 4 in different bibs
Two teams attack the goals and play against each other.
The third team acts as neutral team and plays for who ever has possession of the ball.
Relax when we have the ball. You have a massive overload. Spot the opportunities to play one touch.
Progression
Teams play 8v4 with defending team needing to win the ball and then being able to attack the team which had possession must then defend.
Look to make the pitch as big as possible when in possession. The four defenders need to work together to regain the ball
Technique when passing and moving the ball (to feet or space). Take the ball into space away from pressure.
Player passes ball into player then tries to defend both “goals”
player with ball tries to pass to player in goal, then takes their place
If they don’t score they become the defenderDefender & goal players join the queue
Decision making pass/control/shot