UNDERSTANDING PRINCIPLES AND EXECUTION OF 2-on-1 SKILLS WITH HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL POSITIONING
PLAYERS
3+ PLAYERS
SPACE
15m x 10m
EQUIPMENT
5+ BALLS
EXPLANATION:
HORIZONTAL
X’s start play by passing the ball into defender (O) and receiving a return pass.
X’s start and stay in horizontal alignment. (Off-ball player should not run through behind defender).
Objective is to cross the line at the opposite end of the grid with possession/control of the ball.
VERTICAL
X’s start in vertical alignment. X starts with ball, passes to defender (O) and receives return pass.
Off-ball X leads/runs in behind the defender to open position to receive pass.
Objective is to cross the line at the opposite end of the grid with possession/control of the ball.
COACHING POINTS:
In both Horizontal and Vertical 2-on-1’s, the Ball Carrier should be proactive: change angles with the ball and challenge the defender to move positions using feints/fakes to open up a passing or dribbling option.
HORIZONTAL
Ball carrier X must carry ball in Option position. This should typically be on the inside of his body in relation to the grid/box. From this position, Ball carrier should be able to watch defender’s foot and stick position and either:
-Pass laterally to teammate, or:
-Carry vertically to eliminate
Both X’s should maintain width in the grid to make O defend as wide a space as possible.
If X-to-X pass is made, receiving attacker should look to eliminate defender immediately with a positive first touch going forward.
VERTICAL
Ball should be carried in Option position in this alignment also. Exactly what this position is will be determined by the movement of the off-ball attacker (X) in behind the defender.
Off-ball attacker should make simple, sharp leads behind the defender and signal clearly to present a clear target for the ball.
Ball carrier should change angles to create open passing lane,
EVALUATION:
Watch to make sure Ball Carrier does not protect ball unnecessarily and close off passing option.
Vision is key for success in the 2-on-1: this is connected to ball position, but Ball Carrier should have eyes up, watching defender’s positioning and attacker’s movements.
If Ball Carrier is going to pass, he should look to release the pass when he has engaged the defender, but not so close that the defender can get a stick in to stop the pass.
