Practice 1: Purposeful possession

WHY USE IT

This focuses on using possession as a way to attract a defending player, which opens up space to attack. It also actively includes the goalkeeper.

Set-up

Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players. Place a circle of cones in the middle, around which one team (defenders) are positioned. The goalkeeper stands in the middle of the circle, with attackers spread out around the area. Place four mini-goals around the area.

HOW TO play

Defenders aim to stop the ball from reaching the goalkeeper. The attackers pass the ball around the area to attract a defender out of position, creating a gap to pass to the goalkeeper. If the attackers are successful in passing to the goalkeeper, they get two goals.

Alternatively, they can get one goal for every five successful passes. If the defenders win possession, they can then counter-attack to a mini-goal.

progressions & ADAPTATIONS

• Add a time limit to the defenders’ counter-attack to promote faster play
• Can the attackers use different types of passes when aiming for the goalkeeper, such as chipping the ball over the defenders?

COACHING POINTS

• Defending principles of play: This session can address all of the principles of play, both defensive (delay, press, show patience, cover, be compact, balance) and attacking (penetrate, be creative, use movement, support play, create space). 

You can coach by considering which principles the team are focusing on at different points and why.