Organization:

1. 15x15 yard area

2. 6 players - 4 attackers and 2 defenders (set up as shown)

3. 1 ball

Instructions:

1. The attacking team plays 4v2

2. Three players operate on the outside of the area and one player inside the area

3. The attacking team attempts to keep the ball away from the two defenders

4. Defenders are not allowed outside the area to tackle

5. The objective for the attacking group is to try and find the central play to combine with

6. If the defending team wins the ball they play 2v1 inside the area

7. Play for a set time limit before rotating defending players

Coaching Points:

1. Keep the ball moving to stretch the two defending players

2. Outside player should focus on body position as when controlling the ball - hips open to play in multiple directions

3. Central player should focus on timing when checking to the ball and the ability to play first time

4. Angles and distance of support from all attacking players is key to maintaining possession

Progressions:

1. Allow defending players to tackle outside players

2. Two touch limit on the outside

3. One touch limit on the inside

Organization:

1. 20x10 yard area

2. 6 players - 2 attackers, 2 defenders and 2 target players (set up as shown)

3. 1 ball

Instructions:

1. Teams plays 2v2 inside the area

2. The objective is to receive from one traget player and pass to the other

3. Target players have the option to pass to each other

4. If the defending team wins the ball they become the new attacking team

5. Play for a set time limit before rotating target players

Coaching Points:

1. Objective is to play forward so encourage target players to pass through when defenders are split

2. Players on the inside should focus on width and depth - one player check to the ball the other looks to stretch.

3. Body position when controlling the ball on the inside should be open - encourage players to check at angles to keep their body open.

4. Players on the outside need to focus on which foot to pass into - front foot if pressure is high, back foot if pressure is low.

Progressions:

1. Allow defending players to tackle outside players

2. Two touch limit on the outside

3. One touch limit on the inside

Organization:

1. 30x30 yard area

2. 12 players - 8 attackers and 4 defenders (set up as shown)

3. 1 ball

Instructions:

1. Six attacking players are positioned on the outside of the area and two in the center.

2. Four defenders attempt to win the ball, defenders can tackle players on the outside

3. If the defending team wins the ball they play 4v2 on the inside of the area

4. Objective for the attacking team is to combine using the central player

Coaching Points:

1. Shape from central players - one player should check to the ball the other looks to stretch

2. Passes should be made quickly on the outside to help unbalance defenders centrally

3. Players on the inside should look to combine quickly by playing first time

4. All players should focus on body shape and the quaility of their first touch

Progressions:

1. Inside players are not permitted to play back to the same outside player - forces them to open up and play in a new direction

2. Two touch limit on the outside

3. Reduce area size to 20x20

Organization:

1. 30x30 yard area

2. 12 players - 6 attackers and 6 defenders (set up as shown)

3. 1 ball

Instructions:

1. Teams play 4v4 inside the area with two target players positioned on the outside of the area

2. One team plays North to South the other team plays East to West

3. The objective of the practice is recieve from one target player and play to the next, this action scores a point

4. If the defending team wins the ball they should look to pass out to their target player

5. Rotate target players after a set time limit

6. Keep score

Coaching Points:

1. Players on the inside should check at angles so that their body position is side on to play forward quickly

2. Awareness - receiving player should check both shoulders before the ball arrive to assess options

3. Inside players should look to be positive and create space in order to play forward

4. Width and depth is important to create spaces as group

5. Target players on the outside need to be aware which foot to pass into – high pressure front foot, low pressure back foot

Progressions:

1. Two touch limit on the inside

2. Players on the inside can not pass backwards to target players only forward