Small-sided game: Receive to play forward

WHY USE IT

A conditioned game which encourages players to receive with an open body and on the back foot. By doing so, it will allow them to play quicker, giving them a better chance of being successful when they attack.

SET UP

Set up an area the right size for your players and split it in half with a channel. Divide players into two teams. Within their teams, players are locked into their designated halves of the pitch - there should be a slight overload in favour of the defenders.

HOW TO PLAY

Play a normal game - but to transfer the ball from the defensive half to the attacking half, an attacker must drop into the channel and receive a pass from a defender. Opposition players cannot go into the channel until the attacker has taken their first touch. Progress the practice by allowing opposition players to enter the channel whenever they want.

COACHING POINTS

Before the progression, attackers should focus on receiving with an open body and on their back foot. This will allow them to be direct and play forward immediately before an opposition player has the opportunity to engage them. After the progression, attackers will then also need to time their runs into the channel correctly.