Goalkeeper 1v1 Breakaways
Attackers run through from 27 m; the goalkeeper must come off the line, narrow the angle, stay big and decide when to go down to block or smother.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 4–12
- Duration
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 30 × 25 m
- Type
- Integrated
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Waves
- Objectives
- Technical: Goalkeeping, 1v1 attacking, Finishing
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Goalkeeper
- Run without ball
- Dribble
- Shot
- Ball
- Cone
- Goal
One-against-one situations decide many matches. The goalkeeper learns to close the distance while the attacker's ball is far from the feet, to set before the shot, and to spread or smother when the attacker tries to go round. Attackers practise finishing calmly under pressure.
Objective
Narrow the angle and choose the moment to block or smother in a 1v1 against an attacker.
Organisation
- Area of 30 × 25 m in front of a goal.
- Attackers in a line with balls 27 m from goal.
How it works
- The attacker dribbles towards goal and must shoot or go round the goalkeeper within 8 seconds.
- The goalkeeper may leave the line as soon as the attacker touches the ball.
- 8–10 breakaways per goalkeeper, then swap.
Coaching points
- Advance while the ball is away from the attacker's foot; set when the attacker is about to touch it.
- Stay big and on your feet as long as possible.
- Smother: go down sideways with hands leading to the ball, body as a wall.
Progressions
- A defender chases the attacker from 3 m behind.
- Attackers start from a diagonal.
Regressions
- Attackers must shoot from outside the 6-yard box.
Variations
- Attackers may also chip the goalkeeper.
Key principles
- Close down, set, stay big.
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