Exercises › Game exercise

1v1 ladder: winners move up

• 12 min
• 6–24 players
• 3v3
• 5v5
• 7v7
• 9v9
• 11v11
• Technique & Skills

Set up 4–8 small courts (about 10 x 6 m) in a row, court 1 at the top. Each court has two small goals (or two cones as goals) and one ball. Two players meet on each court and play for 60–90 seconds or first to two goals. The winner moves one court up towards court 1, the loser moves one court down. On the top court the winner stays, on the bottom court the loser stays. Randomise the starting places: every player draws a slip or a cone with a court number, so nobody is picked. With an odd number, keep a rest court at the bottom where one player waits and is swapped in. On a draw both stay put, or play 20 seconds of extra time. After a few rounds the players meet opponents of about the same level, so the games become more even and everyone gets many successful and unsuccessful attempts. Progression: change the rule every round, for example weak foot only, a goal only after at least one feint, or only three seconds to decide. Play 6–8 rounds.

What the coach should look for

• Randomise the start with slips or cones so nobody is picked.
• Cheer on brave attempts, even when they fail.
• The defender slows down, stands correctly and waits for the right moment to win the ball.
• Let the players compare themselves with themselves: how high did you get and how many attempts did you dare?

PåPlan is a free planning tool for youth football coaches. Open the app