Principles of 2 v 1

Principles of 2 v 1

The importance of 2 v 1 is significant because ultimately, the attacking sides goal is to create an overlap (extra man situation), which is essentially creating a 2 v 1 at the end of the attacking line.

The principle of 2 v 1 is very simple at its core - draw the defender, then pass to the support runner.  However, the keys to execution are rarely explicitly provided to the players.

Key points are as follows:

Ball Carrier

• 'Fix'  the defender by running towards the shoulder away from where you wish to pass the ball.  

[By fixing the defender in this method, you will force the defender to either: 

a) commit to a defensive line that prevents him/her from drifting off the ball carrier onto the support player; or

b) fail to commit to the ball carrier allowing the ball carrier to run pass him/her.]

• Look to pass into the space you created. The look will signal to your support player that you are about to make the pass; allowing him/her to accelerate to catch your pass.

• Execute a crisp accurate pass into the space for your support runner to run onto.

Support Runner

• Prior to the pass, maintain depth to allow for acceleration onto a backward pass from the ball carrier into space.

• Recognizing timing of the pass from the ball carrier; either from noticing the ball carrier turning his/her head looking to make the pass or experience.

• Accelerate onto the pass to receive the pass at pace to eliminate the chance of the defender sliding off the original ball carrier onto you.