The best examples of 1v1 drills for soccer: 3 practical examples that actually translate to games

Why these examples of 1v1 drills for soccer matter in 2024–2025

Modern soccer is faster, more transitional, and more one‑on‑one than ever. Watch any top league in 2024–2025 and you’ll see constant 1v1s:

• Wingers isolating fullbacks
• Strikers holding off center backs
• Midfielders escaping pressure in tight pockets

When you pick examples of 1v1 drills for soccer, the big question should be: “Does this look like something that happens in an actual game?” If the answer is no, it’s just circus training.

The three practical examples below are built around real game pictures:

• 1v1 in wide channels
• 1v1 with back to goal
• 1v1 into space with a chasing defender

Each one can be adapted for kids, teens, or adults, and for recreational or competitive levels. You’ll also see how to tweak the rules to train attacking confidence and defensive discipline.

1. Wide channel 1v1: the classic wing duel

If you’re looking for clear, realistic examples of 1v1 drills for soccer, this wide channel setup is one of the best examples to start with. It trains exactly what wingers and outside backs face every game: can the attacker beat the defender down the line or cut inside under pressure?

Setup

• Mark a long, narrow channel about 15–20 yards long and 8–10 yards wide.
• Place a small cone goal at the end of the channel for the attacker to dribble through.
• Start with an attacker at one end with a ball and a defender 3–5 yards in front.

You can run two or three channels side by side so more players are active.

How it works

The attacker’s job is simple: beat the defender and dribble through the cone goal under control.

The defender’s job: stay on their feet, delay, and try to win the ball or force the attacker out of bounds.

Play short rounds of 5–8 seconds. After each rep, rotate roles or rotate players.

Coaching points for attackers

Use this drill as a real example of how to coach both technique and decision-making:

• First touch forward: Encourage a positive first touch that threatens space, not a sideways or backward touch.
• Change of speed and direction: Use feints, step-overs, or simple body swerves, then explode past.
• Protect the ball: If the defender closes quickly, use your body, arm bar, and low center of gravity.

Coaching points for defenders

• Angle of approach: Close down quickly, then slow your feet as you get close.
• Show one way: Slightly angle your body to guide the attacker to their weaker side or toward the sideline.
• Tackle timing: Don’t stab; wait for a heavy touch or a mistake.

Variations and progressions

To turn this into one of the best examples of 1v1 drills for soccer for multiple age groups, try these tweaks:

• Limited touches: Give the attacker 4–5 touches max to reach the end. This speeds up decision-making.
• Defender’s counter-goal: Add a small counter-goal behind the attacker. If the defender wins it, they can score too.
• Timed finish: Use a 5-second countdown to force quick attacking actions.

These variations keep the same core 1v1 picture but adjust difficulty and tactical focus.

2. 1v1 with back to goal: holding up and turning under pressure

A second powerful example of a 1v1 drill focuses on a striker with their back to goal, learning to protect the ball and turn under pressure. When coaches ask for examples of 1v1 drills for soccer that help forwards, this is usually near the top of the list.

Setup

• Mark a small rectangle about 10 x 10 yards.
• Place a cone goal 10–15 yards behind the defender.
• The attacker starts inside the square with their back to the defender.
• A coach or teammate passes the ball into the attacker’s feet.

How it works

On the pass:

• The attacker receives with back to goal, tries to turn, escape the square, and then dribble through the cone goal.
• The defender applies tight pressure, trying to prevent the turn and win the ball.

Play short, intense reps and then swap roles.

Coaching points for attackers

This drill is a great example of how to teach forwards to be strong and smart:

• Check your shoulder before the ball arrives to see defender position.
• Use your body as a shield, staying low and wide with arms for balance (without pushing).
• Spin away from pressure: inside turn, outside turn, or roll with the bottom of the foot.
• Explode after the turn: once you’re past the defender, accelerate away.

Coaching points for defenders

• Tight but not fouling: Get close enough to touch the attacker but avoid grabbing.
• Read the hips: If the attacker shifts weight to turn, step across to block.
• Poke and recover: Use quick, controlled pokes when the ball is exposed.

Variations and progressions

To turn this into one of the best examples of 1v1 drills for soccer for more advanced players, layer in game-like constraints:

• One-touch layoff option: Add a “teammate” cone behind the attacker. If they can’t turn, they must lay off to a support player (you or another player). This adds decision-making.
• Touch limit to score: Once the attacker exits the square, they must score through the gate in 3–4 touches.
• Defensive counter: Give the defender a counter-goal behind the attacker to encourage them to win and transition.

This isn’t just an example of a 1v1 drill; it’s a mini-lesson in how strikers survive in tight spaces.

3. 1v1 into space: attacker vs. chasing defender

The third in our series of examples of 1v1 drills for soccer focuses on open-field speed and decision-making. Think of a winger released down the line with a defender chasing, or a through ball where the attacker has to decide: keep driving or cut back?

Setup

• Mark a starting line and a finish line about 20–25 yards apart.
• Place a cone goal on the finish line.
• Attacker starts 3–5 yards ahead of the defender, both facing the goal.
• Ball starts at the attacker’s feet or is played into space by a coach.

How it works

On the coach’s signal or pass:

• The attacker drives toward the goal at speed.
• The defender chases from behind or slightly to the side, trying to catch up and win the ball before the attacker scores.

This is one of the best examples of a transition-style 1v1 drill because it mirrors real counterattacks.

Coaching points for attackers

• Big first touch into space: Especially if you’re faster than the defender.
• Use your body on the run: Step across the defender’s line if they get close.
• Decision at the finish: If you’re under pressure near the goal, can you cut back, fake a shot, or protect the ball?

Coaching points for defenders

• Sprint mechanics: Encourage full sprint, then decelerate smoothly as they get close.
• Tackle from the side, not directly behind to avoid fouls.
• Recover angle: Aim to get between attacker and goal, not just straight at the ball.

Variations and progressions

Here are more concrete examples of how to adjust this 1v1 drill:

• Angle start: Start the defender slightly to the side to simulate a recovery run from midfield.
• Different starting gaps: For younger or slower defenders, start them closer. For fast defenders, give the attacker more of a head start.
• Add a keeper: Finish with a shot on a goalkeeper to add realism and pressure.

Now you have three core, practical examples of 1v1 drills for soccer that cover wide play, hold-up play, and open-field transition.

Extra variations: more real examples of 1v1 drills for soccer

If you want even more examples of 1v1 drills for soccer beyond the 3 practical examples above, here are additional formats you can plug into your sessions:

1v1 in a small box with four goals

• Mark a 12 x 12 yard square.
• Place a small cone goal in the middle of each side.
• Two players start inside with one ball.

They fight to keep the ball and score in any of the four goals. This encourages constant scanning, quick changes of direction, and creative dribbling.

1v1 plus “joker” support player

• Use any of the three main examples.
• Add a neutral “joker” who always plays with the attacker.

The attacker can use the joker to play a quick wall pass or bounce. This is a nice example of how to bridge from pure 1v1 to 2v1 or 2v2 while still focusing on the individual duel.

1v1 from a passing line

• Create two lines of players facing a small central square.
• One line is attackers, the other defenders.
• A coach plays a ball into the square and calls which attacker and defender go.

This format is a good example of a 1v1 drill that adds reaction and communication, because players don’t know who’s going until the ball is served.

Across all these options, the best examples of 1v1 drills for soccer share the same DNA: clear direction, a real game picture, and a way to keep both attacker and defender honest.

How often should you use these 1v1 drills in a training week?

You don’t need to build every session around 1v1s, but you should see them regularly, especially at younger ages.

A simple guideline used by many youth programs:

• 2–3 times per week training: Include at least one 10–20 minute block of 1v1 work.
• Game weeks: Early in the week, use more intense 1v1s; closer to match day, shorten reps and focus on sharpness.

If you’re working with very young players (U10 and under), you can lean even more heavily on examples of 1v1 drills for soccer because they build confidence, coordination, and basic ball mastery. For older teens and adults, 1v1s are still valuable, but you’ll likely blend them into 2v2, 3v3, and small-sided games.

For general guidance on youth physical activity and safe training loads, you can cross-check with resources from organizations like the CDC and NIH, which discuss age-appropriate activity levels.

Safety, fatigue, and load management

1v1 work is intense. It’s short, explosive, and physically demanding. Especially in hot weather or with younger players, keep an eye on:

• Work-to-rest ratio: Aim for at least 1:2 (e.g., 10 seconds work, 20 seconds rest) in high-intensity 1v1s.
• Hydration: Encourage water breaks, particularly in warm conditions. For general hydration guidance, sites like Mayo Clinic offer helpful reference points.
• Contact and collisions: Remind players to stay on their feet and avoid reckless tackling from behind.

If players look consistently exhausted, sloppy, or frustrated, that’s usually a sign to shorten the drill, increase rest, or reduce the space.

FAQ: examples of 1v1 drills for soccer

Q: What are some simple examples of 1v1 drills for soccer for beginners?
For beginners, the best examples are very clean and directional: a wide channel 1v1 with a single cone goal, a 1v1 in a 10 x 10 yard square where players try to dribble across the opposite line, or a 1v1 where the attacker starts with the ball and just tries to beat the defender and stop the ball on a line. Keep rules and spaces simple.

Q: Can you give an example of a 1v1 drill that works indoors or in small spaces?
Yes. A 1v1 in a 10 x 10 or even 8 x 8 yard grid with four small goals (one on each side) works great indoors. Another example of a tight-space 1v1 drill is a back-to-goal setup in a small box where the attacker must turn and exit through any side.

Q: How long should a typical 1v1 drill last in a session?
Individual reps should be short—5 to 10 seconds of high effort. A full block of 1v1 work might last 10–20 minutes, broken into sets with water breaks. That keeps intensity high without overloading players.

Q: Are these examples of 1v1 drills for soccer good for defenders too, or just attackers?
They’re excellent for defenders. Each example trains closing down, body shape, timing of the tackle, and the mentality to enjoy the duel. Just make sure you’re coaching both sides, not only praising the attacker.

Q: How do I choose the best examples of 1v1 drills for soccer for my age group?
For younger players, choose larger spaces and simpler rules so they have room to succeed. For older or more advanced players, tighten the space, add time limits, or add secondary goals (like a defender counter-goal) to increase realism and challenge. Always ask: Does this look like a real game situation for my players? If yes, it’s probably a good fit.

By now, you’ve seen multiple real examples of 1v1 drills for soccer: 3 practical examples at the core, plus several variations you can plug in all season. Start with one or two, run them consistently for a few weeks, and watch how quickly your players become more confident in every duel on game day.