U12 Week 3

1v1 Transition

  • ✅ DECISIVE

    Attack hard toward the goal while the defender is transitioning

    ✅ DETERMINATION

    Don’t give up on defending, even if you get beat!

    ✅ AWARENESS

    Work hard to try and win the ball back after the transition - don’t watch the ball in the goal or celebrate!

  • ✅10 x 15yd area

    ✅Two teams at each end of the zone. The next person in line needs to be ready with a ball

    ✅ 1 x ⚽

    ✅2 x 🥅 mini goals

  • The 1v1 Transition is a game to practice a 1v1 situation, but also the transition between attack and defense.

    ✅Two teams line up at each end of the area

    ✅One player goes 1v1 to the opposite goal to start (first player dribbles and scores into an empty goal)

    ✅As soon as the ball is out or a goal is scored, the next yellow player dribbles a new ball toward the goal.

    ✅The previous attacking player transitions to become a defender, simulating when the team loses possession. They must get back and defend.

    ✅This is repeated on the opposite side.

  • ✅Change the size of the area

    ✅Put a restriction on where the attacker can shoot from so they don’t just shoot right away

    ✅2 mini goals at each side to create a decision-making situation

    ✅Make a 2v2 game

    ✅Add different ways of scoring points:

    1. defender stealing and scoring in the opposite goal - 1 pt

    2. attacker beating the defender with a skill in 1v1 - 1 extra pt

  • We often think about attacking and defending as the 2 main parts of a game, but the transition between attack to defense and defense to attack is just as important.

    In a game, it is important that if a player or team loses possession, they must try and win it back. Determination is a key factor in soccer and 1v1 transitions are a good way to try and install that in children.

    It’s also important to stay concentrated, it’s often easy to focus on what’s just happened and the disappointment of losing the ball, but focusing on the present and aware, ready to get the ball back is most important.

1v1 to endlines

  • ✅ ATTACKING

    Head up, ball close, and BE BRAVE! Awareness - Can you see a space to drive into?

    ✅ DEFENDING

    Close down the space quickly between the attacker and the grass in front of the player, eye on the ball.

    ✅ BOTH

    Keep on trying! If they get beat, go again next time!

  • ✅10 x 15yd zones

    ✅6 players per zone - Attackers at one end, defenders at the other (no more than 3 waiting in line)

    ✅1 x ⚽ per attacker

    ✅2 mins per repetition and then change attackers and defenders

  • 1v1 to goal is a chance for players to attack and defend against each other

    1 attacker and 1 defender play at a time until the ball goes out of play or an endline is reached - Then the next pair go.

    ✅Attackers (with the ball) attempt to dribble to the opponent’s end line

    ✅Defenders attempt to stop them by tackling, gaining possession, and, if they can, dribble to the opposite endline

    ✅If the ball goes out of play or a player scores, the players rejoin the line and the next pair go.

    ✅After each player has been an attacker & defender, switch the teams (attackers from a different group switch zones) so they have different matchups)

    POINTS

    🏆Attacker dribbles past defender = 1 point

    🏆Attacker scores a goal = 1 point

    🏆Defenders tackles = 1 point, an extra Defender scores in attacker’s goal = 1 extra point

    🏆Don’t take the scores too seriously!

    After 2 mins, change attackers and defenders

    After each player has been an attacker & defender, switch the teams (attackers from a different group switch zones) so they have different matchups)

    💡TIP - pick players that are similarly matched to go 1v1 against each other

  • ✅Make the zone larger for more attacker success

    ✅Give extra points for the 5 points if the defender steals and scores in the opposite goal

    ✅Give the defender a head start! Bring their start a yard closer

  • All 4 moments of the game of soccer are practiced in 1v1s - attacking, defending, and attacking and defending transitions.

    Playing to end lines is more game-like in a central field position. It will stop players from shooting at a goal and get more practice in making decisions of passing to a teammate or dribbling 1v1

Sharks & Minnows

  • ✅ DRIBBLE SPEED

    A change of speed can confuse defenders - go faster in open space

    ✅ AWARENESS

    Defenders go for the nearest attacker! Attackers try and dribble away from minnows - head up and don’t bump into other players

    ✅ TEAMWORK

    Sharks can come up with a plan when the group gets larger.

  • ✅ 20 x 25 yd area for 10-15 players - make larger for more

    ✅1 x ⚽per minnow - sharks 0 x ⚽

    ✅Choose one or two Sharks to start in the middle of the area. You can have a center line sharks should start behind to give the minnows more time to dribble

    ✅The minnows line up with a ball on one of the end lines

  • ✅On the coach’s command, minnows dribble across the playing area without getting caught by the shark. They are ‘safe’ at the other side and the shark can’t leave the area.

    ✅If the shark kicks a ball out of the playing area, the minnow become a shark on the next turn.

    ✅When all remaining minnows are ready to go, the coach commands to go.

    Tip - The coach starts as the shark and allows them to cross a couple of times, to build confidence - coach as the shark can also pressure the more advanced players more.

  • ✅Minnows can only use their left foot to dribble.

    ✅Start the game with more sharks

    ✅When minnows lose the ball they can become sharks straight away to introduce the transition from attacking to defending concepts

    ✅Move or take away the center line to allow defenders to start where they want. This makes the game potentially harder for the minnows

  • Dribbling with speed and purpose is key to getting nearer to the goal. Also, understanding when to change speed and manipulate the ball under pressure.

    Defenders can learn to communicate or understand spatial awareness in relation to their teammates.

GAME TIME!

What you need:

✅ 1 x⚽

✅ 2 teams (different colors)

✅ 2 goals

✅ All the rules of the game - throwins, goal-kicks, corners, kickoffs and fouls. So they can practice for the weekend!

TIME TO PLAY! ⚽ Allow the players to have fun, be competitive, and express themselves. At this age, don’t impose too much structure. Don’t force passing or stop the play. Encourage and give positive comments on the goal of the session (dribbling) and coach sporadically as the game goes on.