From Sam Snow, US Youth Soccer Director of Coaching Education -
One versus one (1v1) is the most common and frequent tactical situation for players. Every 1v1 situation involves all four components of the game; fitness, attitude, technique, and tactics. Further, no matter what position a player has on the team, he/she must be able to handle a one on one both offensively and defensively. One versus one is the foundation of all tactics, individual, group, and team. If players cannot win the majority of 1v1 duels on both offense and defense then the odds of effectively combining in group and team tactics are reduced.
One versus one battles take place on all parts of the field throughout the game. Some are only for a split second and some last several seconds. Some of these duels are obvious to neophyte observers where only two players are in the immediate vicinity of the ball. In most cases though, several players are near the ball during a 1v1. Many coaches do not recognize that a 1v1 is happening even if only for a moment. For example, in a 2v1 case, the first attacker must decide if he/she will pass to the second attacker or try to dribble past the opponent solo. Even though, there are three players around the ball, a 1v1 decision must be made by the first attacker. Since these confrontations take place across the field for the entire match all players must be able to defend and attack in a 1v1 to a reasonable degree.
In a 1v1, the two players are playing one of two roles. One is the first attacker, who either penetrates via shooting, dribbling, or passing or he/she maintains possession of the ball via shielding, dribbling or passing to a teammate. The other is the first defender who tries to deny penetration via interception of passes, one touch clearances, tackling, shepherding, jockeying, containing or tracking runs. He/she may also try to regain possession of the ball from the opponent or at least dispossess the opponent.
The defensive techniques required include; how to intercept passes, one touch clearances with the head or foot, how to jockey or shepherd the opponent with the ball, speed and angle of approach onto the opponent in possession, proper body posture, the poke tackle, the block tackle, four types of slide tackles, recovery runs and tracking runs.
The offensive techniques include dribbling to keep possession of the ball, dribbling to beat an opponent and a multitude of "moves" which can be used to accomplish either type of dribbling. Also required is being able to shield the ball, eight types of passes with the foot, passes with the head, chest or thigh, heading to score, crossing the ball and shooting with a plenitude of techniques.
To execute the techniques and to have a sharp mind to make these tactical decisions requires good physical fitness. The best way to get a player fit for 1v1 duels is to put them in those situations in training as opposed to running laps, doing jumping jacks, etc.
Learning how to dribble and to take on opponents begins with the under-8 teams. The initial coaching of how to play in a 1v1 on both offense and defense starts with the under-10 teams and is then continuously refined though out the player's career. Even World Cup teams work on how to play in various 1v1 predicaments.
Over years of proper training and refinement, players should learn how to handle 1v1 situations in all three thirds of the field. While defending, they must also learn that in the defensive third they handle 1v1 battles somewhat differently on the flanks than when in the center. The same is true when on the attack in the offensive third.
All of the above concerns field players, but clearly the goalkeeper must also deal with 1v1 occurrences too. The most obvious is when defending the goal. In a breakaway 1v1 situation the keeper tries to get the ball:
- before the attacker by intercepting passes (through balls and crosses)
- as the attacker is dribbling and shooting
- after the attacker shoots (catching, blocking, kick saves, parrying, and boxing)
Unless your goalkeeper is Luis Chilavert, the offensive part of 1v1 for the keeper is limited to distribution via two or three types of throws and three types of kicks.
Performing well in a 1v1 for any player on both offense and defense requires a positive attitude. The players must feel confident that they know how to handle most situations. This means the coach must put the players into a variety of 1v1 opportunities at training sessions. To keep the learning of the same topic motivational over many years requires that coaches know how to teach 1v1 in various ways.
Since 1v1 is the foundation of all tactics it must be revisited time and time again.