This practice is designed to provide players with the opportunities to train their ability to retain and regain possession. The practice is helpful in reinforcing aggressive pressing behaviours, and composure on the ball under pressure.
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.
Do you want to improve your ability to plan and deliver great sessions? Sign up for our Foundations of Session Design course here.
Practice Overview
Topic: Controlling Possession
No. of Players: 8
Goalkeepers: N/A
Practice Type: 5v3
Offsides: N/A
Pitch Size: 18 x 15
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 and regain possession. Play a 5v3 practice where the team of 5 are challenged to retain possession against 3 defenders. The defending team are encouraged to press to get possession of the ball and quickly counter-attack to score in two small goals.
Organisation
Set up a rectangular area 18 yards long by 15 yards across. Then 10-yards beyond each end of the playing area position two small goals. To score the team of 5 are tasked to complete 8 passes consecutively, then finish into either of the goals. The defending team of 3 are tasked to steal the ball and immediately finish in either of the two goals. The scoring rules should be adjusted to best fit the appropriate challenge point for the players you are coaching. As this game is physically demanding for the team of 3 defenders it is recommended they frequently rotate with players in the team of 5. The rotations could be achieved through a set time of 60-seconds of defending, or a defending player switching with an attacking player after every turnover in possession.
Observations & Interventions
What you might see
- In possession players slow to counter-press to win the ball back after losing possession.
Actions you might take
- Award the out of possession team two points if they score.
Adaptations:
Is the session too easy?
- Reduce the size of the playing area
- Remove the overload and a play 4v4
Is the session too hard?
- Increase the size of the playing area
- Reduce the number of defenders and play 6v2
Did you enjoy this Session Plan?
Become a PDP Member and have access to the world’s largest library of Session Plans, Q&A Videos, Masterclass Discussions, Coaching Guides & Research Reviews.
Become a PDP Member