One Against One

Choose a route past a patient defender.

U860 minRecommended 6–12 playersVersion 1.0.1

From playful exploration to a small-sided task. A complete practice with water breaks, easy variations and numbered player roles.

Adapt for your team

Customize your session

Dimensions include a 2 m perimeter buffer. Confirm clear space and a usable surface before play.

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Your practice

Choose a route past a patient defender.

U860 min6 players20 × 25 mField practice

Bring 6 balls and 16 cones. Use ground play and line targets. Keep water available.

Check the surface, boundaries and equipment before play. Pause or simplify whenever needed. Confirm local youth football rules. Numbered slots replace names.

10–10 minExplore and notice
210–22 minFake and exit
322–25 minWater and reset
425–40 minLane duel
540–55 minPut it into play
655–60 minSlow down and reflect

Explore and notice

10 min

Begin at walking pace. In shared clear space, carry or share a ball and explore this question: Which change of direction opened a route? Stop on a raised hand.

Make the defender choose first.

Play

Begin at walking pace. In shared clear space, carry or share a ball and explore this question: Which change of direction opened a route? Stop on a raised hand.
Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

Each player works in their own clear station with one ball. Stop together on the signal.

7 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 420s activity · 60s briefing · 60s rest · 60s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to explore and notice; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 6 numbered stations, 6 numbered player slots, 6 balls and 4 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Choose a route past a patient defender. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles

Round	Assignments
1 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6)
2 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6)
3 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6)
4 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6)
5 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6)
6 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6)
7 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 4: carrier (station 4); 5: carrier (station 5); 6: carrier (station 6)

Download map SVG

Equipment: 6 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

Round-by-round player roles

Keep the numbered stations shown on the map. C = carrier. Round times below are activity time; briefing, rest and transition are separate.

Player	Station	R1 60s	R2 60s	R3 60s	R4 60s	R5 60s	R6 60s	R7 60s
1	1	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
2	2	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
3	3	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
4	4	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
5	5	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
6	6	C	C	C	C	C	C	C

Fake and exit

12 min

Fake and exit: show one direction to a walking shadow, then take the other exit.

Make the defender choose first.

Play

Fake and exit: show one direction to a walking shadow, then take the other exit.
Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

3 separate stations. Roles: carrier and receiver / shadow; extra players observe. Advance one slot each round. 2 turns cover every player. A first carrier turn can take up to 60s of activity. Waiting is active observation; add balls or reduce group size if it becomes too long.

10 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 600s activity · 60s briefing · 30s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to fake and exit; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 3 numbered stations, 6 numbered player slots, 3 balls and 10 cones. Each station shares one ball and rotates roles; dashed arrow shows an example travel or pass route. Focus: Choose a route past a patient defender. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles

Round	Assignments
1 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
2 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)
3 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
4 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)
5 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
6 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)
7 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
8 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)
9 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
10 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)

Download map SVG

Equipment: 3 balls · 10 cones · 0 goals

Round-by-round player roles

Keep the numbered stations shown on the map. C = carrier · R = receiver / shadow. Round times below are activity time; briefing, rest and transition are separate.

Player	Station	R1 60s	R2 60s	R3 60s	R4 60s	R5 60s	R6 60s	R7 60s	R8 60s	R9 60s	R10 60s
1	1	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
2	2	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
3	3	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
4	1	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
5	2	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
6	3	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C

Water and reset

3 min

Offer water and rest. Collect balls and walk to the next marked areas. Explain the next task before restarting.

Make the defender choose first.

Play

Offer water and rest. Collect balls and walk to the next marked areas. Explain the next task before restarting.
Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

All players rest or reflect together.

Timing: 0s activity · 30s briefing · 120s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to water and reset; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered stations, 6 numbered player slots, 0 balls and 4 cones. Players gather for rest or reflection; no ball is used. Focus: Choose a route past a patient defender. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles

Round	Assignments
Rest	1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1)

Download map SVG

Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

Lane duel

15 min

Lane duel: the defender can intercept ground passes or dribbles but cannot tackle the body.

Make the defender choose first.

Play

Lane duel: the defender can intercept ground passes or dribbles but cannot tackle the body.
Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

12 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 720s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to lane duel; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

Round-by-round player roles

Round	Assignments
1 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
2 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)
3 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
4 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)
5 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
6 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)
7 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
8 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)
9 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
10 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)
11 · 60s	1: carrier (station 1); 4: receiver / shadow (station 1); 2: carrier (station 2); 5: receiver / shadow (station 2); 3: carrier (station 3); 6: receiver / shadow (station 3)
12 · 60s	1: receiver / shadow (station 1); 4: carrier (station 1); 2: receiver / shadow (station 2); 5: carrier (station 2); 3: receiver / shadow (station 3); 6: carrier (station 3)

Download map SVG

Equipment: 3 balls · 10 cones · 0 goals

Round-by-round player roles

Keep the numbered stations shown on the map. C = carrier · R = receiver / shadow. Round times below are activity time; briefing, rest and transition are separate.

Player	Station	R1 60s	R2 60s	R3 60s	R4 60s	R5 60s	R6 60s	R7 60s	R8 60s	R9 60s	R10 60s	R11 60s	R12 60s
1	1	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
2	2	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
3	3	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
4	1	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
5	2	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
6	3	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C

Put it into play

15 min

Score by carrying across an end line; reset roles after each score or out-of-bounds. Use short small-sided games. Restart with a ground pass; defenders allow space at restarts.

Make the defender choose first.

Play

Score by carrying across an end line; reset roles after each score or out-of-bounds. Use short small-sided games. Restart with a ground pass; defenders allow space at restarts.
Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

1 pitch. Teams use numbered A/B slots. Odd groups use a neutral who helps the team with the ball. Rotate slot assignments between rounds; everyone plays and each odd-pitch player takes a neutral turn.

4 rounds × 180 seconds. Timing: 720s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to put it into play; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

20 × 25 m clear area with a 2 m perimeter buffer. 1 numbered pitches, 6 numbered player slots, 1 balls and 4 cones. A and B are teams; N is the supporting neutral. End lines are scoring targets. Focus: Choose a route past a patient defender. Diagram shows starting positions, not fixed player locations.

Round-by-round player roles

Round	Assignments
1 · 180s	1: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 4: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 6: team B (station 1)
2 · 180s	1: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 4: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 6: team A (station 1)
3 · 180s	1: team A (station 1); 2: team B (station 1); 3: team A (station 1); 4: team B (station 1); 5: team A (station 1); 6: team B (station 1)
4 · 180s	1: team B (station 1); 2: team A (station 1); 3: team B (station 1); 4: team A (station 1); 5: team B (station 1); 6: team A (station 1)

Download map SVG

Equipment: 1 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

Round-by-round player roles

Keep the numbered stations shown on the map. A = team A · B = team B. Round times below are activity time; briefing, rest and transition are separate.

Player	Station	R1 180s	R2 180s	R3 180s	R4 180s
1	1	A	B	A	B
2	1	B	A	B	A
3	1	A	B	A	B
4	1	B	A	B	A
5	1	A	B	A	B
6	1	B	A	B	A

Slow down and reflect

5 min

Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: Which change of direction opened a route? Each player can answer with a gesture or one sentence. Check equipment and finish together.

Make the defender choose first.

Play

Choose easy-paced movement, then ask: Which change of direction opened a route? Each player can answer with a gesture or one sentence. Check equipment and finish together.
Keep ground play only. No heading, sliding or body contact. Pause for water whenever needed.

Organisation

All players rest or reflect together.

2 rounds × 60 seconds. Timing: 120s activity · 60s briefing · 90s rest · 30s transition.

Adjust the challenge

Easier: Walk through the task without opposition; shorten pass distances and widen the target.

Next step: Add a second choice to slow down and reflect; ask players to explain the choice.

Move on: Stop the balls, walk to the next area and check all players are ready.

Round-by-round player roles

Round	Assignments
1 · 60s	1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1)
2 · 60s	1: rest / reflect (station 1); 2: rest / reflect (station 1); 3: rest / reflect (station 1); 4: rest / reflect (station 1); 5: rest / reflect (station 1); 6: rest / reflect (station 1)

Download map SVG

Equipment: 0 balls · 4 cones · 0 goals

Round-by-round player roles

Keep the numbered stations shown on the map. — = rest / reflect. Round times below are activity time; briefing, rest and transition are separate.

Player	Station	R1 60s	R2 60s
1	1	—	—
2	1	—	—
3	1	—	—
4	1	—	—
5	1	—	—
6	1	—	—

After the practice

Which change of direction opened a route?

Save field notes

Try next

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Player	Station	R1 60s	R2 60s	R3 60s	R4 60s	R5 60s	R6 60s	R7 60s	R8 60s	R9 60s	R10 60s
1	1	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
2	2	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
3	3	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
4	1	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
5	2	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
6	3	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C

Player	Station	R1 60s	R2 60s	R3 60s	R4 60s	R5 60s	R6 60s	R7 60s	R8 60s	R9 60s	R10 60s	R11 60s	R12 60s
1	1	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
2	2	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
3	3	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
4	1	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
5	2	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
6	3	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C

Player	Station	R1 60s	R2 60s	R3 60s	R4 60s	R5 60s	R6 60s	R7 60s	R8 60s	R9 60s	R10 60s
1	1	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
2	2	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
3	3	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
4	1	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
5	2	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
6	3	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C

Player	Station	R1 60s	R2 60s	R3 60s	R4 60s	R5 60s	R6 60s	R7 60s	R8 60s	R9 60s	R10 60s	R11 60s	R12 60s
1	1	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
2	2	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
3	3	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
4	1	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
5	2	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
6	3	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C

Player	Station	R1 60s	R2 60s	R3 60s	R4 60s	R5 60s	R6 60s	R7 60s	R8 60s	R9 60s	R10 60s
1	1	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
2	2	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
3	3	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
4	1	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
5	2	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
6	3	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C

Player	Station	R1 60s	R2 60s	R3 60s	R4 60s	R5 60s	R6 60s	R7 60s	R8 60s	R9 60s	R10 60s	R11 60s	R12 60s
1	1	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
2	2	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
3	3	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R
4	1	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
5	2	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C
6	3	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C	R	C