Practice 2: Playing out from the back

WHY USE IT

The second practice puts players in an environment where they have an opportunity to repeat the actions from the first practice, but with the added challenge of opposition players.

SET UP

Set up a rectangular area with a target player at each end. Within the area there are two teams; in this instance it is a 3v3.

HOW TO PLAY

Teams look to transfer the ball from one target player to the other, without the opposition touching it. On doing so, they win a point and look to play it back to the original target player. If the other team wins possession, they look to play to either of the target players and then transfer it to the other one.

Progressions: Add a halfway line which the teams must advance over before they can pass to a target player; teams must complete two or three passes before passing to a target player.

Coaching points

Players must have an awareness of the position of team-mates and opponents. Can they take a first touch that takes them into space and allows them to either protect the ball or pass it on? Ideally this will be a pass that goes forward.