Organization:

Area: 20y x 20y

The two players without a ball try to tag as many players as possible. When a player gets tagged, he/she ‘freezes’ and stands with the ball above their heads, feet wide apart. Frozen players are set free when another player passes a ball through their legs. The game is over when all of the players are tagged, or after a certain amount of time.

Variation: Play without soccer balls. Players must crawl between the legs of a frozen player to set them free.

Focus Points:

• Enthusiasm and energy

• Dribbling and turning technique

• Passing technique

Organization:

 Area: 24y x 12y

Create three small fields of 8y x 12y. On the center field, play 1v1 line soccer. On the two outside fields, play 1v1 with small goals placed in the corners of one side of the field. The players always start in theopposite corners from the goals. Begin the 1v1s with a pass across from the defender. Switch roles after the turn is over. Players switch fields every eight minutes.

Game: Keep track of goals scored.

Coaching Points:

1st Defender Role

• Who and What?

• Approach the attacker quickly, slow down when getting close,

• Angled position, low in the knees, elbows bent,

• Move feet quickly with little steps, force the attacker to the sideline.

• Win the ball back at the right moment. 

On fields with small goals in corner:

• First run to the center to protect the goal, followed by pressure on the attacker.

• Force the attacker away from the goal, towards the sideline.

• Don’t stop defending after you get beat. You never know!

Attacker:

• Make your 1v1 move with conviction

• Go around the player, not through the player.

• Accelerate after your move.

Organization:

Area: Half field, less than full width.

The teams play 6v4, with the attacking team scoring in the two small goals on the halfway line. When the defenders win the ball, they attack the large goal with the GK. The attacking team plays with a goalkeeper, four defenders, and a central midfielder. The defenders play in a diamond formation. Play begins with a goal kick from the GK. From there, the attacking team builds up and tries to create scoring chances. Attackers re-start with a throw in, but the defenders can dribble or pass the ball back in. Switch roles after several minutes.

Game: Create two teams, switch roles after five minutes. Keep track of the score.

Coaching Points:

Tactical Attacking:

• Outside backs (2 and 3) go low or high depending on which central defender has the ball.

• Central defenders (4 and 5) tilt (drop) when the other central defender has the ball. Switch play, break the vertical line (BVL) or find a midfielder.

• Midfielder 6 tries to find the ball and moves the ball, opens up or goes forward.

Technique:

• Pass with the correct speed to the correct foot. Receive with the furthest foot to open up.

Team Defending:

• 9 makes an L-Run; gets in between the central defenders and then presses the ball.

• 11 and 7 start pinched in and invite a pass from the central defender to the outside back. Pressure the ball at that moment. Do not pressure the central defender.

• Midfielder slides over to the side of the ball and picks up 6 or 8 or cuts off the passing lane forward.

Organization:

Area: Half field

The attacking team plays with a GK, four defenders and two midfielders, trying to build up and score on the small goals. The defenders play with three forwards and two midfielders, looking to win the ball and score on the large goal. The game always starts with a goal kick from the goalkeeper. When the ball goes over the sideline, both teams must throw the ball back in. Switch roles after several minutes.

Game: Keep track of the score.

Coaching Points:

Forwards Pressing When Build Up Starts:

• CF 9 makes an L-Run when the goalie passes the ball to one of the central defenders; gets in between the central defenders and then pressure the ball.

• Wingers 11 and 7 start pinched in, leave the outside defender ‘fake’ open, and invite the pass from the central defender to the outside back. Pressure ball at that moment. Be on at the feet of the outside defender when he/she receives the ball.

• When the ball goes to the outside back, the winger on the weak side pinches to center of field. Another option could be that the winger goes towards the nearest central defender, but only if our midfield is strong and marking their midfielders. Wingers do not pressure the central defender when they build up.

• Midfielders mark their midfielders. Force turnovers, score goals.

Defenders + Midfielders Building Up:

• Movement as in W-passing. Create flow. Look to go forward and score, value the ball, be patient, keep ball possession.

Organization:

Area: 60y x 40y

Create two teams and play 7v7 (six plus a GK), with both teams playing in a 1-2-3-1 formation. Regular soccer rules apply.

Game: Keep track of the score.

Coaching Points:

Attackers:

• In ball possession, make the field large and get into the correct build up shape.

Defenders:

• When the opponent has the ball, make the field small by moving towards the ball and pressuring the ball

Transition: 

• After winning the ball, look to play the ball forward, one touch in transition, or explode with a dribble into space. 
• After losing the ball, try to win the ball back asap.