Small-sided game: The pressure is on

WHY USE IT

This three-part session works on players’ ability to receive the ball under pressure and, where possible, play a forward pass.

 

The session gives players the opportunity to work on scanning, receiving, passing, movement and shielding the ball.

 

Set-up

Mark out an area relative to the age and ability of your players, with a mini-goal at each end. Divide players into teams of three of four.

 

HOW TO DO IT

Play a normal small-sided game (3v3 or 4v4), focusing on players opening their bodies to receive the ball to play forward where possible, recognising space and pressure.

 

PROGRESSIONS

When a team scores, they retain possession and attack the opposite goal. This will change the type of pressure they are under when receiving, as opponents will be out of position unless they react quickly and those in the attacking team will be receiving in different areas of the pitch (e.g. the assist provider may now be receiving deep within their own half with more space in front of them). 

 

If players are struggling to play out of their own half, adapt to restrict the out-of-possession team to having only one or two players able to enter the opposing half to press.

 

COACHING POINTS

How does your body position help you scan for better options? How does that information help you receive the ball? How can you use different parts of your body to receive/protect the ball?