Warm up: Play through midfield

WHY USE IT

This session works on finding space in the middle and switching the flow of play quickly. How fast can the players check into space, find open space for another player to run into, and combine with one another?

 

Set-up

Mark out an area relative to the age and ability of your players. Start with two players in the middle, a line of three to four players at the first cone, and one or two players on each of the other three cones, depending on desired rest time.

HOW IT WORKS

The two players in the middle are constantly moving and working off of each other. The first pass is played square from the player at the bottom left to the player at the bottom right, and the second pass is played into the checking player in the middle.

 

The third pass is then set back to the supporting second player in the middle. They then play the fourth pass long to the player on the top right cone. The player on the cone plays it square to the top left, and that last player speed dribbles down the line, back to the start.  

Switch the middle players every minute or two, but they should be working constantly.

 

ADAPTATIONS

To make it more difficult, or to vary it up a bit, you can add another ball so the drill is constantly moving.

 

You can also have cone three pass it back into a checking player in the middle and do the same thing as before again; lay it off to the supporting player, and pass it to cone four. After a while, you can also switch directions.

COACHING POINTS

Crisp, clean and quick touches are important. Ensure players are receiving on their back foot, with an open body and take a positive first touch in the direction of the next pass. 

 

Ensure the middle players are moving to receive and communicating. Players on the outside cones should also be moving off the cones before receiving, as if losing a marker.