Space and transitioning in possession games

Organisation

• Divide the players into three groups: two groups play 6v2 possession games, while the goalkeepers work together, throwing and catching the ball and practising technique.

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Allow the players in the possession game to throw and catch the ball to begin with, and start with only one defender in the middle.

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Require two-touch and then one-touch passing.
• Increase the number of players in the middle to three.

Great questions to ask the players

• Why do we warm up?
• How can we use warm-ups to increase our concentration and focus?
• Which muscles do you need to stretch before playing?
• What kinds of pressures do different players in the game experience?
• What are some strategies they can use to manage that pressure?

Organisation

• 3v3 practice – starts with the goalkeeper throwing the ball out to the attacking three.
• The attackers try to score into either of two goals, past two defenders and a goalkeeper. When they win the ball, the defenders break and try to score into one of three smaller goals.
• Rotate the players regularly and swap roles, so everyone plays as an attacker and a defender.

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Start with only one defender.

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Add a defender, so it becomes 3v4.

Great questions to ask the players

• Can the attackers switch play to create an opportunity to shoot into an open goal?
• Can the goalkeeper try to predict play and which goal the attackers are aiming for?
• Can the defenders try to make play predictable and force the attackers down one side?

Safety tips

• The goalkeeper should only throw the ball out when all the players are ready.

Organisation

• Create a pitch for 6v6 with two goals back-to-back in the middle and one goalkeeper, who has to try to guard both goals.
• Both teams play on the whole pitch and can distribute the ball to either side to try to score.
• Teams can have uneven sides if you have an odd number of players.
• Make the centre circle (or equivalent area) a goalkeeper-only zone, to encourage shots from greater distance.

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Don’t have a goalkeeper-only area, so players can shoot from any range.

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Add conditions for how goals have to be scored, e.g. volleys or first-time finishes only.

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you use the whole pitch to create space and opportunities to shoot?
• Can you play clever passes around or over the goals to players in the other half, so they can score into an open goal?
• If your team is not in possession of the ball, can you get in line with potential shots to block them?

Safety tips

• Rotate the goalkeeper every few minutes.