Practice 1: Playing out from the back

WHY USE IT

These practices will support players in being more comfortable on the ball and more confident in playing out from the back.

SET UP

Set up a number of separate areas to accommodate the number of players in your session. In each area there should be 4-6 players. In the middle of the area, lay out a small gate. One player starts just to the side of that gate. The other players are split between the two ends of the area, facing each other.

HOW TO PLAY

A player outside the area starts with a ball and plays it into the player within the central area. On receiving the ball, they travel through the gate and pass it onto another player on the outside. Each time a player passes the ball, they follow their pass and replace the player they played it to. The practice continues in this manner.

Coaching points

While performing the practice, players should focus on their first touch. It should allow them to go through the gate and then play the pass almost immediately; receive with one foot, play the pass with the other. The weight and area of pass into the player is also really important.