Organization:

- 20 x 20 yard area set up as shown

- 12 players (6 Attackers, 6 Defenders) set up as shown

- 1 ball per player

Instructions:

- Attackers score by not letting the defender hit their ball with their ball

- Defenders score by hitting the attackers ball or if the attacker dribbles out of the area

- Defenders have the ball in hand (throw) and attackers have ball at feet (dribble)

- Play for a set time limit then check the scores

- Rotate players so that they play against different players

Coaching Points:

- Change of speed

- Change of direction

- Awareness of Space & Surroundings

- Experiment with different turns as you attempt to lose your partner

Progressions:

P - Player with ball in hand can now 'attack' any player dribbling

P - Both players now have the ball on the ground and the object is to hit the ball with a pass

R - Increase the area size so that players have more space to turn into

Setup:

4 grids of 10x10

2 teams of 4, plus 2 neutrals

Ball in each grid

Activity:

Players fight for possession of ball and shield and use turns to hold ball until neutrals come to help.

Neutrals move around and play 3v1 to complete 3 passes (then find new grid).

Coaching Points:

Shielding ball -- get side on to keep ball as far away as possible, use arms to protect personal space, keep ball moving.

3v1 - Create angles, receive on far foot

Organization:

- 25 x 12 yard area set up as shown

- Two mini goals facing away from play as shown

- Two teams of 3/4 players

- Lots of balls

Instructions:

- The defending player starts the activity by passing the ball into one of the attacking players

- The attacking player has the option to score in either goal

- The defending player must attempt to prevent the attacker from scoring

- If the defender wins the ball they attempt to score in one of the two goals

- The game is over when the ball leaves the area

- The next game is then started from the defending team

- Rotate players after a set time period

Coaching Points:

- Positive first touch

- Awareness of defender: pressure, distance etc

- Timing/Execution of turn.

- Visual Cue: can you unbalance Defender?

- Head up for next action

Progressions:

P - Attacking players have a time limit to score

R - Attacking players start with the ball

Organization:

- 12 x 20 area set up as shown

- 4/5 players per group (2 Targets, 1 Attacker, 1 Defender)

- 1 Ball (additional on outside)

Instructions:

Exercise A

- Play begins with Target player touching ball with foot. This triggers movement from central Attacker

- Central Attacker looks to check away from Defender to receive pass from target

- Defender must track Attacker & stay at least arms length away to apply passive pressure

- After receiving, Attacker looks to turn Defender quickly & play pass to opposite Target Player

- Attacker/Defender rotate out of area. Target Players enter & become new Attacker/Defender

- Activity repeats

Exercise B

- Setup is identical to A.

- After Attacker turns Defender & passes to Target Player, players play 2v1

- Players work together in 2v1 to beat defender who can now tackle/intercept

- Attackers aim to run ball over opposite endline.

- Players rotate in/out of area

- Activity repeats

Coaching Points:

- Movement to receive pass

- Body Shape to receive: Open Hips/Body

- Take Snapshot over shoulder as you move. Distance of Defender? Where is the space?

- Execution/Timing of turn

- Shield/Protect the ball as you turn

Progressions:

P - Defender can now intercept pass from Target Player into Attacker

Organization:

- 40 x 30 yard area set up as shown

- 12 players (6 Attackers, 6 Defenders) set up as shown

- 1 ball (Additional around the outside)

Instructions:

- Players score by passing the ball through one of their two designated goals situated in the corners of the area to their team mate

- One team attempts to score in goals labeled (A) and the other in goals labeled (B), these goals can be different colors so that players can easily visualize where they’re trying to score

- If the ball leaves the area the game is restarted with a kick-in

- Play for a set time limit

Coaching Points:

- Controlled approach

- Appropriate turn to protect or change direction

- Bend the knees/Get low to create a platform to accelerate

- Turn into space & shield ball as you turn

- Take away with the nearest foot and surface

- Head up after turning for next action

Progressions:

P - Target players in goals dribble into area when they receive (passing players take their place in goal)

P - Reduce the size of the area

R - Reduce numbers of players to 3 vs. 3 or 4 vs. 4

Organization:

- 40 x 40 yard area set up as shown

- 12 players (6 Attackers,6 Defenders) set up as shown

- 1 ball (Additional around the outside)

Instructions:

- Teams attempt to score in one of their two designated goals

- One team attempts to score in goals labeled (A - dribble through) & other in the goals labeled (B - shoot)

- If the ball leaves the area the game is restarted with a kick-in

- Play for a set time period

Coaching Points:

- Controlled approach

- Appropriate turn to protect or change direction

- Bend the knees to create a platform to accelerate

- Turn into space

- Take away with the nearest foot and surface

- Head up after turning for next action

Progressions:

P – Add goalkeepers

R – Reduce the number of players to 3 vs. 3 or 4 vs. 4