CONTROL
SHOOTING
PASSING
DRIBBLING
TURNING
HEADING
CREATE SPACE
INDIVIDUAL DEFENDING
SUPPORT PLAY
GOALKEEPING
CROSSING
TACKLING
THE THROW IN
ATTACKING SET PLAYS
DEFENDING SET PLAYS
THE FREE KICK
PASSING
Please select a subsection from the topics below :
 Sidefoot pass    Progression   In tight areas  
 With varying distances    Playing against the touchline  
 Passing on the run    With opposition involved  
   Two players against one    Further two against one practices  
 Passing in tight areas with a shot at goal   Kicking the ball  
 Progression    Progression II  
 Exercises for passing with the inside of the foot I  & II
 Progression III    Passing with place changing 
 Passing for accuracy    Volleying the ball   Kicking the ball


TWO PLAYERS AGAINST ONE


Simple practices can provide a number of coaching points for both attackers and defenders, and the 2 against 1 situation is one of them.

Practice 1
Practice 2
   
 
Working in a 10 metre square, 2 attackers (A) and (B) against defender (D) ONE BALL WITH (A) IN POSSESSION.

Practice 1

In this (A) runs towards (D) and as the tackle is about to come in, (A) plays it on to (B) who collects and by-passes (D).

In this situation (A) running directly at (D) commits (D) and so allows (B) space to receive a pass (providing he doesn't move forward too quickly and so cuts off the angle of (A)'s pass.

Practice 2

(D) is slightly more cautious here, holding off (perhaps back pedalling a little) and moving slightly nearer to (B).

So (A) spots this and instead of running directly at (D), suddenly changes direction and sprints on the airside of (D) who has over committed himself towards the possible pass towards (B).

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IN ALL PRACTICES DEFENDER (D) SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO TACKLE AND WIN THE BALL. BY ENSURING THAT ATTACKERS DO NOT RUN 'OFFSIDE' THE COACH CAN ASSIST (D) IN HIS DEFENSIVE ROLE.

 
Practice 3
Practice 4
 
 
If (A) and (B) are not having much success as they try to by pass (D) then the coach should recommend ways of assisting them.

Look at practice (3)

(B) now instead of standing wide of (D) moves directly in front of him, as though he is making it easier for (D) to mark him.

In point of fact it is now more difficult for (D), as (A) moves towards (B) and plays the ball to him.

The moment it is arriving at (B)'s feet (D) is unsure whether (D) will hold the ball, play it back to (A) who has run forward (as in practice (1) OR let it run, using (A) as a decoy and so leave (D) stranded (as in practice (2).

BY TAKING UP THIS POSITION (B) HAS ALSO RESTRICTED (D'S) VIEW OF THE BALL, AND THE CLOSER (B) IS TO (D) THE MORE DIFFICULT IT OFTEN IS FOR (D) TO WIN THE BALL.
 
Practice 5
 
 
In practice (5), both (A) and (B) use the full width of the 10 metre square. By doing this (D) has to work his angles, and try and force (A) down the line marked (Y).


If (D) stands sideways on to (A) he is almost asking him to race him down the line. The key issue here is for the defender to ensure he has the pace to deal with it should (A) sprint with the ball directly forward. Given too much space in any of these practices (A) should always take the option of the direct thrust past (D) to maintain the attack.