1v1 Positional Game with Wingers

This drill focuses on improving positional play in different zones of the field. It challenges both attackers and defenders to read the game better and react quickly to shifts in play while integrating the offside rule in one section of the attack zone.

Setup

You will need one-half of an 11-aside field or a portable full-size goal and enough space. In addition, you need balls and cones to mark the positional zones, as shown in the picture.

The drill is designed for 9 players: 1 goalkeeper, 4 attacking, and 4 defending. Variations with fewer players won’t work. You could add more players, but you would need to create more zones to keep the 1v1 aspects of the drill. For example, you could add a pair of strikers vs. centre-back or a midfielder vs. midfielder, but in both cases, you will need to divide the respective zones into left and right zones.

Instructions

The drill follows the structure of a traditional attack vs defence drill but limits the areas where players can move. The progression of this drill is as follows:

• Players position themselves in 1v1 pairs in each zone:
  • 1 striker vs 1 defender
  • 1 left winger vs 1 right fullback
  • 1 right winger vs 1 left fullback  
  • 1 attacking midfielder vs a defensive midfielder
• Players cannot step out of their zones.
• Because midfielders and wingers cannot step out of their zones, the attacking team must pass the ball between zones to progress through the field and create chances.
• The only players who can move between two zones are the striker and the defender, who can move between the two central attacking zones.
• The attacking zone is divided in two:
  • Outside the box, there is no offside in this zone. The striker can move freely and receive the ball without worrying about the offside position.
  • Official offside rules apply inside the box. This prevents the striker from waiting too close to the goalkeeper.
• Anyone in the team can shoot at goal from any zone. Although challenging, this will encourage long-distance shooting from midfielders and wingers.

You can add variations to make it more competitive or fun, like keeping score on goals vs balls intercepted by the defence or adding small goals in the midfield to practice counterattacks with defenders.

Takeaways

This drill will encourage attacking players to take on defenders in 1v1 situations while keeping positions in the field. In addition, this drill provides the following benefits:

• Mechanising movements. The exercise simulates a common build-up scenario in a game. The more the team practices this drill, the easier it becomes to execute all possible combinations during a match.

• Positioning and Team Shape. This drill can be altered to practice your preferred formation. Then, players will practice playing in their positions and supporting each other without losing shape.
• Passing accuracy. Players must be accurate with their passes to move forward quickly and avoid defenders intercepting the ball.
• Dribbling skills. While still encouraging teamwork, players can have fun trying to take on the defender in their zone. Beating their defender can give the player a clear chance to shoot at goal from distance in the case of midfielders and wingers or close-range opportunities in the case of the striker.
• Defensive skills in 1v1 situations. This exercise is also useful for defenders. It helps them defend 1v1. Defenders can tackle and take the ball, obstruct passing lines or shooting opportunities, or simply slow down the opposition’s progression on the field. 
• Playing with wingers. The midfielder must know when to pass the ball to a space for the winger to run after it. Attackers need to be ready to receive crosses from wingers. On the other hand, defenders must be prepared to intercept passes and crosses, obstruct passing options or challenge for the ball at the right time.
• Crossing and long balls. Consistency is critical in crossing and long balls. Crosses must be timely and have the right power to make them easy for the striker to control.
• Close and long-range shooting. Strikes will likely shoot from inside the box, therefore having options to shoot with finesse and precision or raw power. On the other hand, midfielders and wingers can only shoot from a long range. Practising shooting from outside the box with a goalkeeper requires players to shoot with power and precision.
• Goalkeeping. This is a good drill for goalkeepers. They practice saving direct close and long-range shots. They also practice claiming crosses and positioning.

We’d love to hear how this drill benefits your team. Please share your experiences and modifications on our Facebook page or tag us in your training videos.

Pablo Matamoros

I am a software engineer with 25+ years of experience across diverse industries. I've climbed the corporate leader over the years, which has some benefits but means I moved away from my love for tinkering with technology. So, I build the odd website or application to keep learning and stay in touch with technology. FootballTechniques allows me to combine my programming knowledge with my passion for football.

To find out more about my professional experience, visit PabloMatamoros.com

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