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1v1RepresentativeTactics

1v1 with a recovering defensive support

Decide between delaying the come-out to wait for the recovering defender, or coming out immediately — the richest 1v1 decision is the one with support on the way, not the one that’s genuinely isolated.

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Load

minutes
10
dives/set
2
Sets and reps
3 × 4
Intensity
Medium

dives per set, per goalkeeper

Microcycle days it fits

MD-3, MD-2

Each bar’s height is that day’s dive ceiling.

Setup

Goalkeepers
1
server
0
outfield player
2

Space: 22 × 20 m

Equipment: Balls, Full goal

The coach serves and manages the breaks.

1 steps

The attacker advances isolated, but with a defender recovering from behind at a variable distance. The goalkeeper decides between delaying the come-out, waiting for support, or resolving it alone.

Exercise sequence

Coaching points

  • With support about to arrive, delaying the come-out decision is often the right choice — it buys the defender time at no real cost.
  • Reading the recovering defender’s distance has to be continuous, not a single check at the start of the play.
  • Communicate the decision made ("I’ll wait" or "I’m coming") to the defender, so the two don’t try to resolve the same action simultaneously.
  • If support doesn’t arrive in time, commit fully to the come-out, without getting stuck halfway between waiting and acting.

Progressions

  1. Increase the recovering defender’s distance, making waiting less advantageous.
  2. Remove the recovering defender on some reps, with no warning.

Regressions

  1. Bring the recovering defender closer.
  2. Announce whether support is on the way before each rep.

Sources · 2

  1. BookVaggelis Lappas, «Goalkeeper Training Methodology»
  2. StudyDeterminants of Decision Making in Novice and Elite Soccer Goalkeepers (2025)