Small-sided game: Step on to the pass

WHY USE IT

This small-sided game allows players to apply what they learned from the previous practices in a game and see how it can be benefit them.

SET UP

Set up a pitch that is relevant for the players and split into into two halves with a small channel in the middle.

HOW TO PLAY

To progress into the other half of the pitch, a player must collect the ball within the channel. They cannot wait in the channel and they can only have one touch inside it (they must touch it in the channel). Once they do this they can then attempt to score. If, at any time, the other team wins possession, it just turns into a normal game until the ball goes out of play or a goal is scored. Then the game always restarts with a goalkeeper.

COACHING POINTS

Using everything they have learned in the previous two practices, players now look to identify opportunities to progress out of their own half and towards the opponents’ goal. Remember: they are not playing a through ball, just a pass that encourages their team-mates to play forward rather than turn back towards their own goal.