2v1 drill for soccer

A 2v1 drill for soccer puts two attackers against one defender, so the attackers learn to make the defender choose and then play past whichever way they go. This version is a small copy of the overlap on the wing: one attacker carries the ball inside, the other runs around the outside, and they finish against a goalkeeper. It trains the decision and the timing that make the overlap work in a game.

Setting up the 2v1 drill

You need a goal with a goalkeeper and the wide area outside one side of the penalty area. The first attackers' line, with the balls, starts out wide. The second attackers' line stands a few yards behind and outside them, closer to the touchline. The defender starts near the corner of the penalty area, facing the attackers.

The round starts when the first attacker takes a touch. The attackers try to score; the defender wins the round by taking the ball or forcing it out of play. After each round, rotate: the attacker on the ball joins the second line, the overlapping attacker becomes the next defender, and the defender goes to the back of the first line. Start the next pair as soon as the last one finishes, so nobody waits long.

Start the attackers far enough out that the second attacker has room to build speed before the overlap. With younger players you can make the area smaller and leave the goalkeeper out, using a small goal instead.

What to coach

The attacker on the ball has the most important job. Carry the ball at the defender and slightly inside, toward the goal. That pulls the defender a step infield and opens the space along the touchline for the run. Then read the defender. If they stay with you, pass into the space ahead of your teammate; if they drift out toward the runner, keep going inside and shoot or pass. A pass played too early lets the defender cover both players, and a pass played too late runs into them.

The overlapping attacker starts behind the ball and runs around the outside, not across in front of their teammate. Time the run so you arrive as the defender commits to the ball, and call as you go so the player on the ball knows you are there without looking.

The defender is outnumbered, so the aim is to delay. Stay between the ball and the goal, keep both attackers in view, and don't dive in, since one tackle that misses leaves two players running at the goalkeeper. If you can make the player on the ball pass early, or push the overlap wide enough that the cross or shot comes from a poor angle, that is a good result. The 1v1 defending article covers the stance.

Once the overlap is through, the attacker who gave the pass keeps running into the box, and the cutback goes away from the goalkeeper. That habit carries straight into a game.

Step by step

This play shows one round on the right side of the box. A1 starts with the ball, A2 is the overlapping attacker, D is the defender and GK the goalkeeper. The other players are left off the picture.

A1 dribbles at D and carries the ball slightly inside. A2 jogs forward behind A1, ready to make the run.

A2 runs around A1's outside. A1 keeps carrying the ball inside, and D steps across to block the way to goal.

D stays with A1, so A1 slides the ball down the line into A2's path. D turns to chase.

A2 carries the ball toward the end line with D chasing. A1 runs into the box, and the GK moves across to the near post.

A2 cuts the ball back to A1, away from the GK.

A1 shoots first time toward the far post.

The round ends in a goal. The three players rotate and the next pair starts.

If D goes with A2 instead, the space is inside, and A1 keeps the ball and shoots or passes. Walk the first rounds through at half pace so A1 practices carrying the ball inside and reading the defender before it becomes a race. Once it runs at full speed, keep score by pairs. The overlap article shows the same move in an 11 v 11 game, and the 1v1 soccer drill uses the same area for the duel without the second attacker.

The full play

You can copy this playbook into your own account and change it for your team, for example running the drill on the left side or adding a second defender who starts a few steps behind.

Playbooks can also be saved as a PDF if you would rather bring the drills to practice on paper.