This practice is designed to challenge players abilities to control possession of the ball and quickly transition to win back the ball when possession is lost.
About the Video
In the video below, Dan will talk you through the structure of the practice, various outcomes and how you can adapt it for your players.
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Practice Overview
Topic: General defensive transition
No. of Players: 9 – 18
Goalkeepers: N/A
Practice Type: 3v3+3
Offsides: N/A
Pitch Size: 16 x 16
Timing: 15 mins
Age Group: U9+
Interpreting the Diagrams
The key below outlines what the images mean on the diagrams.
If you have questions about the practices, contact the PDP Team or share your views on the Player Development Project Coaching Community.
Key For Diagrams
Diagrams
One player from each team rests on the sideline ready to switch into the play whenever a teammate in the middle chooses.
Two support players (white) have been included to support the players in possession.
During the rest period each team of three is given a ball to pass and move with. This will increase the number of passing and receiving repetitions each players does during the practice without requiring additional time.
Objectives
This practice is designed to challenge players abilities to control possession of the ball and quickly transition to win back the ball when possession is lost.
Player focus on their collective response to their team losing possession.
Organisation
Set up a square area with 9 players inside, made up of 3 teams of 3 (see figure to right). The ball starts with one of the players on the two teams in possession (reds and yellows), the defending team (blue) immediately chase the ball to win it back. If 8 consecutive passes are made the two teams in possession receive a point. If the defending team (blue) get the ball, they immediately look to keep possession and the team that lost possession immediately transition to chase the ball and win it back. This scoring system will likely incentivise the out of possession team to work hard to win the ball back and get points of their own. The first team to 5 points wins. This game is highly physically demanding for all players so adequate rest between bouts should be allowed. Also, if you notice movement quality decline well in advance of the game stopping due to the 5 points rule, it may be better to use a timing system for the games such as 3-minute games with 3-minutes rest between games.
Observations & Interventions
What you might see
- A decline in movement quality in and out of possession
Actions you might take
- Reduce the time of each playing bout and increase the rest between bouts.
Adaptations:
Is the session too easy?
- Reduce the size of the playing area
Is the session too hard?
- Increase the size of the playing area
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