Adapt to new situations

Organisation

• Organise two teams of six, and each team has its own half of the pitch
• To score a point, a team has to complete five passes in its own half using the throw-in technique
• Encourage the players to try long throws and to remember to keep both feet on the ground when they throw and to throw the ball from behind the head
• No running with the ball

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Start by allowing any kind of throws, not just the throw-in technique

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Only passes that cover at least 5m count towards winning points, or shorter passes are penalised

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you create space as a team?
• Can you show me how to do this?
• When you win the ball in the other half, can you work quickly as a team to get the ball back into your scoring half?

Safety tips

• Create a safe space to play

Organisation

• Organise a normal game, but all restarts are made with throw-ins
• Encourage the players to practise correct throw-in technique
• Ask a player to provide a demonstration of a correct throw-in
• The coach can stop play at any time and award a throw-in

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Make the pitch narrower

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Make the pitch wider

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you use throw-ins like a free kick or corner?
• Can you find good positions to receive and control the ball from a throw-in?
• How should you defend against throw-ins? Can you show me?
• What changes do players have to be ready for in the game?
• How can players adapt well to changes in the game?

Safety tips

• Create a safe space to play

Organisation

• Create a pitch for 6v6 with one goal (guarded by a goalkeeper) in the middle
• Both teams can score in the goal from either side of the pitch
• Good practice for the goalkeeper; encourage different types of shots. Rotate the keeper

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Make the pitch narrower

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Make the centre circle a goalkeeper-only area, so shots have to be taken from a longer distance

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you use the whole pitch to create space and opportunities to shoot?
• Can you think about how you might score with deflections or from rebounds?
• If your team is not in possession of the ball, can you get in line with potential shots to block them?
• What is it like to change positions in the game (e.g. become the goalkeeper or change teams)?
• How can players adapt well to these changes?

Safety tips

• Rotate the goalkeeper every few minutes
• Create a safe space to play