Beat Your Man and Finish 1v1 | Receiving from Behind

Overview

• Your players are receiving the ball with a defender right on their back
• Any player who needs to win a 1v1 against a single defender and create a real scoring chance
• Best for upper-elementary through adult players who already have a good feel for the ball

Objectives

• Control the ball quickly on the first touch and buy space away from the defender
• Use a feint or turn to shift the defender’s weight and open up space
• Stay calm and finish when the moment’s there
• Build the habit of reading and acting fast the instant they receive with their back to play

Setup

Run this in a 20m x 20m grid: players take a back pass, play out a 1v1, and attack a small goal set behind the defender.

1）Work in groups of three — a passer, a receiver, and a defender.

2）The passer plays a back pass into the receiver near the middle of the grid.

3）The defender jumps on the receiver right away, so it’s an instant 1v1.

4）The receiver controls the ball in three touches or fewer and beats the defender on the way through.

5）Then finishes at the small goal at the far end of the grid (use poles or markers).

6）Rotate positions after every shot so everyone gets reps as the receiver.