Opportunities for decision making - Dribble or Pass?

The Set Up: Magic Rectangle - The overall pitch size is 40x30 with the central third being 16 yards long.

Ball Work - This takes place in the central rectangle, players are asked to go and stand along the line of red cones or the blue cones - their choice. Players are then asked to dribble the ball across to the opposite line of cones performing various feints or change of direction moves that the coach has chosen from this blog post. Players work back and forwards between the lines of cones and change to the next skill on the coaches request. Allow them at least 4 or 5 attempts at each skill.before changing

Possession Overload: . Remove the four central cones and split the teams in two teams with one team outnumbering the other by at least twice as many players. For example 8v3, 6v2 whatever suits the number of players you have. This is a simple possession game with the team with the greater numbers trying to keep possession for a set period of time. Change the defending players after each period. The group which loses possession the least during are the winners. This game is not just about passing its about maintaining possession - that encourages players to dribble or shield the ball when there are no passing options available.

Make it easier by reducing the number of defenders, or by not allowing defenders to tackle

Make it harder by increasing the number of defenders, or limiting the time allowed on the ball.

Bi-directional Possession: The set up for this game is the same as the overload game. Teams are split according to your requirements. Equal numbers or with an overload. The game is played like the Line Soccer game, with teams attacking the width of the end line. Players have to either dribble across the end line or pass the ball across the line for a team mate to run onto. The team that scores then starts to attack the opposite end line (the one they where just defending), with the player who stopped the ball over the line passing it to a team mate.

Make it easier by having neutral players who play for both teams

Make it harder by insisting the ball is stopped on the end line for a goal to count.



Normal Game: Focus on the skills learnt in the session, giving particular praise to players taking players on or passing to create scoring opportunities

Our diagrams are produced using session template software (with new functionality) from Academy Soccer Coach. Click here to visit their website and access free soccer downloads