Soccer Dribbling Drill
1v1: Pick a Goal
1v1 with two small goals to attack. Make the defender pick a side, then go the other way. A great game for fakes and quick changes of direction.
Step 1 of 6
The attacker (A) has the ball at the gate. The defender (D) waits between the 2 goals.
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- 4–10
- Ages
- 5–16U6–U17
- Pace
- Intense
Works on
- Ball control
- Wins the ball
- Shooting
Set up
- Mark an area about 20 yards long and 15 yards wide. Put 2 small goals on one end line, near the corners, facing in.
- Put 2 cones as a gate in the middle of the other end line.
- Attackers line up at the gate with the balls. Defenders line up between the 2 goals.
- Space
- 20 x 15 yards with 2 small goals at one end
- You need
- 2 small pop-up goals · 2 cones for a gate · 4 cones for the corners · Lots of balls
How to play
- The attacker dribbles out. The defender runs out to meet them.
- The attacker tries to score in either goal: make the defender lean one way, then attack the other goal.
- If the defender wins the ball, they try to dribble it through the gate.
- Then both switch lines, and the next pair goes right away.
Coaching points
- Dribble at the defender with speed, then slow down just before you reach them.
- Fake one way with a step-over or a body swerve, then cut and go the other way.
- Look at both goals: the defender can’t guard both.
- Defender: stay between the two goals and don’t dive in.
Easier
Make the goals bigger, or the defender waits until the attacker’s first touch before running out.
Harder
Make the area narrower and the goals smaller, or give the attacker 6 seconds to score.
Run it at your next practice
With a free account, put 1v1: Pick a Goal in a practice plan with its minutes and water breaks. At the field the clock moves on to the next drill by itself.