×

This practice is is a small sided game designed to provide players with opportunities to practice small possession based scenarios that are specific to a 1-4-3-3 formation.

Quick Navigation

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.

Would you like to enhance your knowledge of physical conditioning for soccer? Click here to learn more.

Practice Overview

Topic: Controlling Possession

No. of Players: 18

Goalkeepers: Yes

Practice Type: SSG

Offsides: N/A

Pitch Size: 36 x 20

Timing: 20 mins

Age Group: U13+

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
soccer training diagram

Diagrams

Area set up to accommodate 6v6+GKs inside, with 6 players positioned outside as shown in the figure above. Coach can choose a time limit or score limit to rotate teams into the game.
Players are locked to their half to create a 3v3+GK+floaters in each half. In possession, players can still use the floaters ahead of their GK.
In this example the pitch has been split into thirds. Players inside the game are locked to their respective zones. This facilitates various ‘games within the game’, and can be a nice starting point prior to advancing to halves. When in possession, players are able to pass to the floater players ahead of their GK.
In this example we have removed the outside floater players. This will likely increase the challenge point for the team in possession. However, a trade off is now the relatedness (from a positioning standpoint) to the 11v11 is now reduced.
In addition to removing the outside players, the game has also been adapted to include the half-way line as an offside line. This can be a nice adaptation to encourage defensive pressure when out of possession and movement into the space behind when in possession.

Objectives

This practice is designed to provide players with opportunities to practice small sided game possession based scenarios that are specific to a 1-4-3-3 formation. The positioning of the players inside the pitch combined with 4 red players in front of the centre-backs are reflective of 1-4-3-3 formation. Ideally you will see controlled forward possession with players playing from their 11v11 position.

Organisation

Set up a narrow small sided game divided into halves with two goals. Goalkeepers are critical to this practice functioning and should have a good supply of footballs in their goals to play quickly. The key constraint is that teams in possession can only pass to the 4 players on the outside positioned ahead of their of their centre-backs. Play for a set time of 2-4 minutes and rotate the outside players into the game and one team from the middle outside.

Observations & Interventions

What you might see

  • Players passing forward to the top 2 players but not moving forward to support.

Actions you might take

  • Set a time or touch limit on the outside players. 

Adaptations:

Is the session too easy?

  • Decrease the size of the area
  • Reorganise the teams to balance the individual match-up within the game

Is the session too hard?

  • Increase the size of the area
  • Reorganise the teams to balance the individual match-up within the game

Would you like to Learn how to Maximise the Potential of Your Players?

Learn the fundamentals of great session design. In this course, UEFA A Licensed Coaches, Dave Wright and Dan Wright teach you everything you need to know about designing world-class sessions that your players will love.

Foundations of Session Design Course
Dan Cooke
Dan Cooke Dan is highly experienced in strength and conditioning and an A licensed qualified coach. Dan has worked in professional academy and senior football, and he is currently an athlete development PhD candidate at the Sport Performance Research Institute in New Zealand.
Popular searches: defending, finishing, 1v1, playing out from the back, working with parents