Transition Practical Sessions Three/Four team warm up Teams retain possession while moving around the area. Challenge for players TRY not to occupy the same box as a team-mate. Receive & travel to another box before passing to a team-mate (awareness of space) Receive in a different box from the one you re standing in (in space/on the move) Pass across a box/through other colours to a team-mate After making a pass, move around a cone and return to receive a pass (moving away from the ball) Keep ball game. 2 teams v 1 team develop the transition from defence to attack, e.g. if playing red/blue v yellow and yellow win ball from a red player, the practice changes to blue/yellow v red.
Receiving & Passing (Through the Thirds) Teams of 4. Pitch set out as illustrated. Each team has a ball and tries to transfer it end to end into the corner boxes. Once the ball is in a corner box, transfer it to the other box before repeating in the other direction. Try to play through all of the thirds All players to touch the ball between ends Teams can miss out middle zone with a longer pass One team acts as defenders. Each player in that team has a ball to retain possession of, and try to provide interference as other 2 teams move their ball up and down area. Develop into a game where teams score by playing into a player in the boxes.
Through or Over? 3 teams. Pitch set out as illustrated. The practice starts with 5 Yellow v 2 Reds in the end zone. Yellows make a number of passes before transferring the ball to Blues in far end zone. If successful, 2 Reds go and play 5v2 against Blues. The original 2 Red defenders drop back into middle zone to rest. Manage the transition from attacking to defending. Options include changing the overloads, e.g. 5v1, 5v3, etc. Could have unopposed at ends, with teams making a designated number of passes and then trying to transfer through or over middle zone, which would be occupied by 5 defenders. If this option is chosen the players in the middle section could dribble balls while trying to provide interference.
Playing Through The Thirds Two teams of equal numbers. Play outnumbered if odd number of players. Play matched up in middle and defenders outnumbering attackers in end thirds. Players are encouraged to play through the thirds, creating overloads, dealing with being overloaded, playing at different tempos. Initially players can be locked in to their area. Release conditions by allowing players to pass or travel into next third. Allow free play. Develop appropriately.
Helping with offside Two teams of equal numbers. Play outnumbered if odd number of players. Play game in midfield area. Players cannot arrive in end zone before the ball.
Play in wide areas Same pitch as previous with goals moved. Two teams of equal numbers. Play outnumbered if odd number of players. Game encourages: Wide play
Finishing Small, tight pitch. Two teams of equal numbers. Play outnumbered if odd number of players. Game encourages: Quick finishing
Defending as a Group Pitch set out as illustrated. The practice starts with 7 Blue v 4 Yellow. Blues try to get ball into Red target player inside square. If successful, Red target player passes to outside Red player, who plays back into Blues. If Yellows win the ball back they try to counter attack and score in target goals. Options include different overloads, Red players on outside could be GK and Blues can play back if under pressure. Have a goal behind Red on outside and allow Yellows to attack one goal.
Forwards receiving Two teams of equal numbers. Play outnumbered if odd number of players. Play 3v2 in each half (overload in favour of defenders). Defending team try to play into their strikers, who are outnumbered. Once ball played forward a player can move forward to make 3v3 in the half. Game continues to a finish. Reset game after break, e.g. goal kick, corner Game encourages: Forwards movement & receiving skills Defenders distribution Develop by allowing a defender to carry a ball into attacking half.
Defending as a Group Pitch set out as illustrated. The practice starts with 7 Blue v 4 Yellow. Blues try to get ball into Red target player inside square. If successful, Red target player passes to one of the Reds on outside, who plays back into Blues. If Yellows win the ball back they can play into the corner goals or pass to the Red players on the outside. Rotate players/manage transition from defence to attack.