Practice 1: Back to the start

WHY USE IT

This session gives players a chance to practice transferring the ball forward from their defence. In this first practice, they will try some different patterns without being pressured by opponents.

SET UP

Split players into two groups. Each group is allocated to a specific half of the area. Cones or mannequins indicate where players are positioned at the start of each turn, while two small areas are located towards the end of the area, where a target player is placed. Two midfielders are positioned on the central cone/mannequin - to begin with, they take turns receiving the pass from the goalkeeper.

HOW TO PLAY

The goalkeeper starts the practice by passing into one of the midfielders. Players are given different patterns to follow that consist of the players linking together to release the full-back for them to play into the target player. The goalkeeper then feeds the same pass to the midfielder in the other group of players.   Progression: include both central midfielders, who look to combine through rotation.

COACHING POINTS

Decisive movement to create space and ensure there are passing lines between the player playing the ball and their team-mate receiving it. Plus, timing of the movement to meet the pass and to ensure that the space is not closed off too early.