Soccer coaching session for player movement without the ball

How to set it up:

• You need balls, bibs and cones.

• Mark out an area measuring 40x30 yards.

• In each corner, you need a square measuring 10x10 yards.

• The session will work with six, nine or 12 players, divided into three teams – the example shown uses nine.

• There are two balls on the pitch at any one time.

 
Getting started:

• Two teams start with a ball. Each exchanges passes around the area, with the aim of scoring points. This is done when players run into the corner squares to receive the ball.

• After doing this, they run out of the area with the ball and move on to another area.

• The team without a ball must attempt to win possession from either of the other teams.

• After 10 minutes, progress the session by stating that players cannot go into a square that is already occupied by a player from another team.

• Play for an additional 10 minutes. The winning team is the one that has scored the most points by effectively making passes to team mates in scoring areas.

• To advance the task further, make one of the teams defend. Rotate teams so each has a go at blocking scoring runs as well as making them.

Why this works:

• The focus should be on the team completing sequences that involve running without the ball, accurate passing, good weight on the pass and good control at the end of the sequence.

• Look for players to mix short passes with longer balls that switch areas of play and search out team mates running into space.

• This game works because the player in possession will always have a choice of two passing options providing his team mates are looking to attack space. Dummy runs and overlaps should be encouraged also.

• These are all off-the-ball runs that mimic match play and, given the small playing area, you will have plenty of opportunities to freeze play and recommend to players where the more efficient passes might have gone.

This session originally appeared in Soccer Coach Weekly.