This practice is designed to provide players an opportunity to work on combination play in pairs, focusing on the concepts of supporting beyond, beside and beneath.
About the Video
In the video below, Dave 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: Combination Play
No. of Players: 8-22
Goalkeepers: Optional
Practice Type: SSG
Offsides: No
Pitch Size: 30 x 15
Timing: 20 mins
Age Group: U7+
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
To provide players an opportunity to work on combination play in pairs, focusing on the concepts of supporting beyond, beside and beneath.
Organisation
Set up a pitch with 4 x mini goals. If you don’t have goals, use gates. If you have GKs you could set up a big goal and small goal. The team in possession are tasked with taking on their opponents in a 2v2. The attacking team can score in either goal off a one touch finish. This encourages forward supporting runs. The aim is to combine as a pair to score, or use the target player (#9) as a bounce player. Bounce players can be restricted to one or two touches depending on their ability. You can remove the one touch finish rules if you have low numbers or feel it’s too difficult for the players, allowing them to score from anywhere. If blues score a goal, the blues keep the ball. All four players leave the pitch and the next two teams come on, with blue starting in possession. Winner keeps possession.
Observations & Interventions
What you might see
- Players passing backwards or playing safe
- Players not reacting quickly when losing the ball
Actions you might take
- Encourage players to be aggressive and confident going forward. Double goals could be offered for one touch finish if you aren’t implementing that rule.
- Give teams a bonus point if they win the ball back in less than 6 seconds.
Adaptations:
Is the session too easy?
- Make the space smaller
- Add a defender on the target player
- Add in one touch finish
- Restrict players from passing backwards
Is the session too hard?
- Make the space bigger
- Add an extra bounce player (2v2+2)
- Allow players to score from anywhere
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