PASSING AND RECEIVING, #3

Set Up:

Player 1 passes thru the zone to Player 2. Player 2 takes his first touch around a cone and then back into the zone. From inside of the zone, he passes back to Player 1. Player 1 turns and plays the ball to Player 3. Play continues in this back and forth pattern, with emphasis on the first touch of all the players in the drill. Service from the central player can vary in speed and type, and a variety of turning moves can be worked on as well. The players switch positions every two minutes.

Coaching Points:

1.  Technique – Choose your technique (inside, top, or outside of the foot, thigh, chest) as early as possible.​

2.  First Touch – Try not to drag the ball square or backwards. Make a positive first touch.

3.  Passing – Look up as soon as you make your first touch and spot the target before passing.

Progressions/Regressions:

Progression 1 – Restrict first touch to one pre-selected technique (inside, top, or outside of the foot, thigh, chest) to make the first touch.

Set Up:

Player 1 passes thru the zone to Player 2 (not pictured). Player 2 takes his first touch around a cone, then back into the zone. From inside of the zone, Player 2 passes back out to Player 1 . From there, Player 1 lays the ball off and switches places with Player 2. Player 2 runs onto the ball and passes it up to Player 3. Player 3 takes his first touch around a cone and then back into the zone, passing it back out to Player 2. Player 2 lays it off and they switch places. Play continues in this back and forth pattern with an emphasis on each players’ first touch.

Coaching Points:

1.  Technique – Choose your technique (the inside or outside of the foot) as soon as possible.​

2.  First touch – Try not to drag the ball square or backwards. Make a positive first touch.

3.  Passing – Look up as soon as you make your first touch and spot the target before passing.

Progressions/Regressions:

Progression 1 – Use feinting moves before and after receiving.

Set Up:

The team in possession can score one point by playing the ball thru a small goal or two points by playing the ball thru a large goal. Two goalkeepers guard the three large goals, and they are free to rotate to any of the goals during play. Players are allowed to run thru the goals, and the game is re-started with a kick in when the ball goes out of play. Games are played to 11 points.

Coaching Points:

1.  Decision Making – When a defender closes down a goal, turn away from that goal and maintain possession.

2.  Changing the Field – When one side of the field closes down, switch the play with a long pass to a player in space.

3.  Transition – Anticipate changes of possession and get moving before your opponent does.

Progressions/Regressions:

Progression 1 – Players must dribble thru the small goals to score one point.

Set Up:  

14 players are set up on a split field, playing 5v5 plus two. During the game, each team plays 3v2 plus one in their defending half and 2v3 plus one in the attacking half. The attacking team must pass the ball into the attacking half before shooting, and the players may not cross over the midfield line during play. Balls played out of touch are re-started by the Feeder, and balls played over the end line are re-started by the goalkeeper.

Coaching Points:

1.  Use the full width of the field in the defending half, and make the defenders chase.

2.  In the back half, open up with the first touch and find the outside back running forward.

3.  Isolate defenders and attack them 1v1.

Progressions: 

1.  Allow an attacker to cross over with the pass, creating a 3v3 plus one.     

Set Up:

Two teams play on a field a bit smaller than a full field - penalty area width and one end line moved up to the edge of one penalty area. The length of the game is 30-40 minutes and play is continuous, meaning no stoppages by the coaching staff to instruct. If the coach desires, he can use two minutes at the halfway point to water break and to give very brief instructions, something pertaining to the coaching topic for the practice.

The two teams should not let the other team know what formation that they are playing, and they should try to run a formation that is different from that of the other team. Once the game has started, it is up to the players to sort out the other teams' attacking and defending shapes.

Coaching Points:

NONE!

Progressions:

1.  Extend the width of the field out to the sidelines. Allow teams to make changes in positions and/or formations during that short break. 

2.  The coach can move players or groups of players to create the desired match ups. For example, starting back line versus starting strikers.