Mastering positioning

WHY USE IT

Players learn how they need to change their position, depending on if their team is in or out of possession.

SET UP

A rectangular area, suitable for the age and ability of your players. Split it in half. Divide players into three teams. One team are the support players, with one inside the area and the others outside. All players are locked into the area where the ball is, except for one player on the in-possession team, who is in the other half of the area.

HOW TO PLAY

Teams win a point by making a small number of passes, before transferring the ball to their team-mate in the other half. When this happens, all players move into this half; apart from one from the in-possession team. If the other team wins the ball, they must complete the set number of passes. One player from this team moves into the other half of the area. The player already in this half must move into the half with the ball, to help their team win it back.

Coaching points

• Identify when you need to make the pitch big (in possession) or make it small (out of possession). 
• When your team has the ball, where can you position yourself to help make the pitch as big as possible?
• Consider where your team-mates and support players are positioned. Can you occupy a different space?