Dribble & Turn with Passive Defender
Set-up: Divide the team into 3 equal lines. The top line (red) has balls. The second line (white w/blue) is next to the red without balls, and the third line (grey) is on the end-line between the goals without balls.
Note: The players do not need to be in different colors, but it helps clarify the exercise.
First Movement: The Red player dribbles at speed straight forward onto the field. The White player serves as a passive defender (Does not try to win the ball!). When the white player moves past the red player, the red player should cut the ball back. Ex. Cruyff Move, outside chop, inside chop, etc.
Cut Back, Enter into Target w/ Return Pass
Second Movement: Once the red player cuts the ball back past the passive defender, he or she must immediately enter the ball into the target (grey). Grey returns the ball directly (one or two touches) to the red player.
Focus:
- Quick Turn
- Head Up
- Hard, accurate pass
“Live 1v1” Ensues
Third Movement: After the return pass, Grey immediately closes down the red player and a live 1v1 ensues. If grey wins the ball, he or she should counter to the opposite pug goals.
Focus:
- 1v1 Attacking
- 1v1 Defending
- Transition
Progression to 2v1
The Set-up: Divide the team into 4 equal lines (2 red/2 white). The top line (red) has balls. The second line (white) is next to the red without balls, a second red line and a second white line take up positions on the end-line between the goals without balls.
Note: Having a clear delineation of colors is now helpful to the exercise.
First Movement: The Red player dribbles at speed straight forward onto the field. The White player serves as a passive defender (Does not try to win the ball!). When the white player moves past the red player, the red player should cut the ball back. Ex. Cruyff Move, outside chop, inside chop.
Entry into Target w/ “live 2v1”
Second Movement: Once the red player cuts the ball back past the passive defender and gets his/her head up, the second Red player releases from the end-line (checks back to the ball) to serve as a target. The White player on the end-line quickly trails the red player, but MUST remain goal side. The red player on the ball must enter the ball into his/her teammate and a “live” 2v1 ensues.
Note: One coach should position him/herself to enforce off-sides.
Focus: Quick Turn, Head Up, Timing of Runs, Proper Entry Pass, Angles of Support, Defending Numbers Down
Live 2v2 Ensues upon Entry into the Target
Final Progression: The same exercise as above, but now the coach can allow the passive defender to become active once the ball has been entered into the target player.
Rotation: Allow players to rotate within their own teams lines freely (Red with Red, White with White), but after 5 minutes have teams switch roles.
