1v1 Soccer

Being able to get the better of the player opposite you will determine to a large extent your performance in a soccer game. One on one play covers attacking and defending, and what you do with or without the ball is of high importance to your team.

Attacking

With Ball

Beating your opponent off the dribble will cause problems for the entire opposition team. Not only do you penetrate the defensive area of your opposite number, but you force their teammates to scramble and cover, leaving open spaces elsewhere on the field for you to take advantage of. When dribbling at an opponent be decisive and commit to whatever decision you are making, hesitancy and second guessing yourself will lead to losing possession. If you dribble to get by an opponent and succeed you must make good decisions to capitalize on the advantage you have created. If you are in range to cut in towards goal and shoot that is an option. Out wide the best option may be to cross, or if you look up and see open players play a pass to them quickly, covering defenders will be coming so players may only be open for 2 to 3 seconds forcing you to play the ball quickly.

It is not always necessary to beat a player by dribbling in behind. Dribbling to create 1 or 2 yards of space can be enough for you to get a successful pass, cross or shot away. What you decide to do with regards to dribble should be dictated by what you perceive to be your strengths and weaknesses, this could change game to game for given matchups. If you have a speed advantage for the matchup being aggressive to get in behind may be the best option. If your opposite number is a solid defender the best option should be to create space and pass before moving again, or to provide an early shot or cross.

Without Ball

Attackers off the ball play a crucial role in the ability of team to keep possession. Whether a defender, midfielder or attacker a player off the ball must provide movement and support to the player in possession of the ball. Wide players should begin with their heels on the side line when the ball is central. Keeping the width will not only provide passing options, but will spread the defense laterally across the field and create space for teammates. Every teammate should look to provide a passing option by moving into space and calling to receive pass. You can beat your opposite number not only by getting open to receive pass, but also by moving to drag him out of position, creating space for a teammate.

Defending

With Ball

Obviously no defender ever has possession of the ball, but this refers to the defender who is directly responsible for pressuring the ball. When your opposite number has the ball you should pressure the ball and communicate this clearly to teammates. If doubt exists as to who is pressuring the ball, two players could do the same job and leave a wide open attacker. When pressuring close to within approximately one yard of the player, shortening your steps on approach and adopting a defensive stance. You want to close in far enough that the player in possession has to look down and focus on not losing the ball to you due to a tackle or bad touch. Standing off too far will allow the attacker to look up and pick out options easily. When in a defensive position a player should show patience and timing, rushing into tackles and being beaten off the dribble will cause problems for your teammates.

Without Ball

Defenders off the ball must provide cover and balance for the defensive team. In diagram A below, X3 is pressuring the ball, while X4 is covering O9. X4 must also cover is X3 is beaten off the dribble, or if a through ball is played into space A.

Diagram A

Defender X2 is responsible for O11, and space C, which could be a through ball or a back post cross. If X3 is beaten off the dribble the rest of the unit must adjust, this requires communication and practice. All players must have a firm grasp of group defending to achieve this successfully. If O7 pentrates off the dribble then X4 should slide out to cover and pressure the ball. X5 would slide over to O9, and X2 would cover central and take responsibility for O10. This adjustment requires O11 to track back and fill the right back spot covering O11 and space C.

When defending off the ball you must assure you are not beaten goal side with a run as this will leave your team exposed. For example in diagram A, if O8 beats X6 for pace when running to goal, a 3 v 2 mismatch will occur in the central defensive areas. Defenders off the ball should always track runs and when possible step across the runner to make overtaking difficult. This is not a foul unless the arms are used to impede progress. 1 v 1 skills are critical to the game of soccer so improve your offensive and defensive skills in this rhelm.