1v1 Defending Gates

Set up five pairs of cones as small gates across the grid. One attacker tries to dribble through any gate; the defender tries to stop them. Thirty-second bouts, swap roles. Coach rotates partners every two rounds.

• Get goal-side first — position before you try to win the ball
• Stay on your feet; diving in gives the attacker an easy way past
• Slow them down, don't always try to take it — delay is defending too

• Defender starts one step behind — they must recover goal-side before engaging
• Attacker gets a point for each gate; defender must hold them to zero — adds pressure to both