In this practice there are different 2v1 choice games.
It is to help coach decision making in different aspects of play.
Players should always have a choice of passes to make so movement and support is vital.
What the session looks at:
Does the player support their initial pass?
Do they go towards the player in possession or make a run into space?
In the first practice look for the passing player to provide closer support, while in the second your players will ideally make a looping run that brings them back onside before running into space to receive a pass.
How to play it
Set up a 40 x 30 yard grid. The player passes to a forward of their choice. The non-receiving player reacts quickly to defend the 2 v 1 (picture 1).
Change the exercise to encourage the starting player to think about a good supporting run, the player passes back to a forward of their choice and must run back to get onside before joining his team mate for a 2 v 1. The non receiving player becomes the defender (picture 2).
How to develop it
The coach passes across to the middle player who passes to a teammate of his choice and a 2 v 1 commences. The 2 players attack the goal facing the player who receives the pass (the top goal in picture 3). After each practice the defender becomes the new passing player for the next turn.
1. Start Position: The team is defending so players are tight together against 2 strikers. The coach plays the ball to the Keeper and they spread out from the back.
2. Have the strikers follow the ball in like it is a shot to keep it realistic, then the keeper distributes the ball from there.
3. Center backs receive the ball and get it to wing backs that have to run the ball into the outside target goals.
PLAY THIS IN 1/2 THE FIELD WITH 2 TARGET GOALS AT THE 1/2 LINE ON THE SIDES. IF THE FORWARDS STEAL THE BALL THEY MAY GO SCORE ON THE BIG GOAL.
ADD MORE PLAYERS AS THE SESSION GOES ON AND FINISH WITH 8V8 OR 11V11.
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THIS YOU MAY CONTACT THE COACH AT AIINGTII@HOTMAIL.COM
Encouraging your players to keep the ball for your team is a vital part of your training sessions. Different age groups need different levels to practice at – and I know some of you will have teams that are more advanced than others, so here are three different levels of exercise to practice possession soccer.
Make use of a simple 2v1 game
In diagram 1 the two white players pass and move around the square while the grey player has to try and win the ball. If he wins the ball he replaces one of the white players and the game goes on. To advance this game tell the white players they can only have 2 touches on the ball before they must pass. Once they have got the basics of the game add more players to make it a 3 v 2 or a 4 v 2.
Expand the play so you are using 10 players
Moving to more advanced exercises you can expand the play further like diagram 2. For this one use 10 players and an area 30 yards x 20 yards. Set it up so you have five attackers inside the area. Two more attackers - one on each of the longest sides of the area - can move up and down to support the play. Three defenders inside the area try to win the ball back.
They must win it back twice, then one of the three swaps places with an attacker - and the play continues.
Move it to a 6v6 game
You can then take it a stage further like diagram 3 where we have a 6v6. Go back to a square pitch either 30 yards x 30 yards or 20 yards x 20 yards depending on the age and ability of your players. You need to have a player from each team on each side of the square, with 2 from each side inside the square. The team that starts with the ball must keep it for as long as possible using team mates on the edge of the square.
The player who receives the ball on the edge of the square can either pass or run into the square with the ball and the player who passed the ball out has to take his place on the side of the square.
The team trying to win the ball can only use the two players in the centre until they win it – players on the edge of the square cannot tackle.
Key coaching points
A good first touch on the ball when receiving.
Play the ball first time whenever possible.
Count the number of passes to make it competitive.
Players should use the inside and outside of each foot.
