Introducing offside

WHY USE IT

Gives players an understanding of timing of runs, plus the weight and placement of passes, which is essential in nine-a-side.

SET UP

Set out a rectangular area of a size suitable for the age, ability and number of your players. Mark an end zone at both ends. Split players into two teams. The game is directional – one team defends one end zone and attacks the other.

HOW TO PLAY

Teams win a point if a player receives a pass within the end zone. Players cannot wait in the end zone; they can only enter it once a pass has been made. The line separating the main area and the end zone therefore acts as an offside line. If a team wins a point it retains possession and the game switches direction – the team now attacks the other end zone.

Coaching points

A player on the ball should look for movement of their team-mates and play into the end zone where possible. Those without the ball need to time their movement so they arrive in the end zone at approximately the same time as the ball. As a pair, players should look to avoid a straight pass on to a straight run; instead it should be a straight run and diagonal pass, a diagonal pass and straight run or a diagonal pass and run.