Organization:

1. 20 x 20 yard area set up as shown

2. 2 players (4 Defenders, 8 Attackers) set up as shown

3. 8 balls 1 ball per attacker) (A dditional around the outside)

Instructions:

1. Each attacking player attempts to keep possession of their ball inside the area for as long as possible

2. The defending players attempt to win the attacking players balls and pass them outside the area

3. If the attacker’s ball is knocked out they must dribble through two gates to re-enter the game

4. The idea is to get all attacking players out of the game as quickly as possible

5. Rotate defending players over a set time period, record any time a defending team knocks all attackers’ balls out of the area. Use this to motivate other groups and keep a leader board

Coaching Points:

1. Correct tackling technique (block or poke tackle)

2. Ankle locked

3. Body weight forward to gain possession

Progressions:

1. P – Reduce the number of defenders

2. P – Allow players who have their ball kicked out to work with other attackers to help keep possession of theirs

3. R – Increase number of defending players to play 6 vs. 6

4. R – Increase the number of gates attackers must dribble through to re-enter the game

Organization:

1. 20 x 10 yard area set up as shown

2. 3 players (1 Attacker, 1 Defender, 1 Server) set up as shown

3. 1 ball

Instructions:

1. The attacking player positioned on the end line starts the exercise with a pass into the centrally positioned attacker

2. As the pass is made the defending player comes into close down the attacker

3. The attacker must attempt to score by dribbling the ball over the end line the defender has just come from

4. Points are scored for a successful tackle

5. Forwards rotate positions after each attempt

6. Defenders have five attempts before changing with an attacking player

Coaching Points:

1. Close down quickly as the ball travels

2. Slow down as you approach the attacker

3. Get touch tight – prevent the attacker from turning

4. Mirror the attacker’s feet

Progressions:

1. P – Increase the width of the area to 15 or 20 yards

2. P – Allow the 2nd attacker to join in to make 2 vs. 1

3. R – Reduce the width of the area to reduce the amount of attacking space

4. R – Shorten the staring position of the defending player

Organization:

1. 20 x 20 yard area set up as shown

2. 6 players (1 Attacker, 1 Defender, 4 Targets) set up as shown

3. 1 ball

Instructions:

1. Players score by receiving the ball from one target player on the outside and making a pass to the other

2. If the defending player wins the ball they look to repeat with their own target players

3. Players are permitted as many touches as required

4. The ball is not permitted go backwards to target players once the ball is passed in

5. If the ball leaves the area the game is restarted by the opposing player’s target player

6. Play to a set tim e limit and ensure that targets are rotated at regular intervals

Coaching Points:

1. Get touch tight – prevent the attacker from turning

2. Bend the knees, stay sideways on to the ball

3. Mirror the attacker’s feet

4. Prepare for next action - Delay or Tackle

Progressions:

1. P – Allow attacking players the opportunity to pass backward to target players

2. R – Reduce the size of the area so that defending players have less space to

Organization:

1. 44 x 44 yard area set up as shown

2. 8 players (2 team s of 4) set up as shown

3. 1 ball (additional around the outside)

Instructions:

1. The attacking teams attem pts to score in one of the three target goals by dribbling the through

2. The defending team attempts to win the ball and score in one of the opposite team’s goals

3. If the ball leaves the area the game is restarted with a kick in (no goal kicks or corners)

4. Teams rotate every five minutes to ensure a good rest to repetition ratio as the activity is very demanding

Coaching Points:

1. Close down quickly

2. Angle of approach to make play predictable

3. Slow down as you approach the attacker

4. Bend the knees, stay sideways on to the ball

5. Prepare for next action - Delay or Tackle

Progressions:

1. P – Teams can now shoot to score

2. R – Reduce the size of the area so that defending players have less space to protect