Practice: Winning the ball back

WHY USE IT

In this practice, a group of players try to win the ball back immediately after losing possession. It aims to replicate losing possession during a game and then preventing the opposition from exploiting the team being out of shape.

SET UP

Set up a rectangular area suitable for your players. Players are split into three teams. Four small goals are positioned outside of the area, one on each side. Two teams work together to retain possession, while the third team try and win the ball.

HOW TO PLAY

The two teams retaining possession aim to complete a set number of passes. If they do it, they win a point by passing the ball into one of the small goals. The defending team looks to win possession - they score one point if they win the ball, three points if they are then able to dribble out of the area and five if they can pass into a small goal. Teams work for 60 seconds before they swap with one of the other teams.

COACHING POINTS

Team of four must work together to identify an opportunity to win the ball. Spaces between players need to be reduced, to prevent the opposition from playing passes through them. Closest player presses the ball while their team-mates press with them, also looking to anticipate the next pass.