This practice is designed to provide players with the opportunities to train their ability to retain possession of the ball through passing and receiving.
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: Passing & Receiving
No. of Players: 7-14
Goalkeepers: N/A
Practice Type: 4v2 (1)
Offsides: N/A
Pitch Size: 20 x 10
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
Objectives
This practice is designed to provide players with the opportunities to train their ability to retain possession of the ball through passing and receiving. The players in possession aim to retain possession of the ball and switch play into the open side of the playing area. When the ball is switched three players must move into the opposite half of the playing area to support their teammate in possession (figure showing this on next page). The defending team aim press to get possession of the ball.
Organisation
Set up a rectangular area 20 yards long by 10 yards across, mark a line to divide the playing area into two, as shown in the figure to the right. Play starts with any of the four players in one half of the playing area, with two defenders ready to press. One attacking player actively waits in the opposite half. To score a point, the attacking team make 8 consecutive passes and switch the play to their teammate waiting in the opposite half. When the ball is switched the game continues and the players in possession aim to repeat 8 consecutive passes and switch to their teammate. The defending pair are tasked to press and steal possession of the ball as quickly as possible. When the defenders get the ball they switch roles with any two players in possession.
Observations & Interventions
What you might see
- In possession players slow to recognise when to switch.
Actions you might take
- Constrain player to switching play between 8 and 11 passes
Adaptations:
Is the session too easy?
- Reduce the size of the playing area to 16 x 8
Is the session too hard?
- Increase the size of the playing area to 24 x 12
- Reduce the number of defenders
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