Play the video below to get the full coaching points!

Here communication, anticipation, passing, link up play, strength and good ball skills are all developed in this functional soccer drill. The idea is that in the centre of midfield the players work on their possession skills, on the flanks the wide players work on trying to lose their marker and create space to exploit, for the advanced midfield player they should look to provide the link between midfield and attack...

... the strikers simply have to score!

This soccer drill is great because it has everyone in your squad occupied during the session.

Remember, when running a drill like this is important that all players know their role and responsibility. Your attention and feedback to the players should be focused on all players, not just the person in possession of the ball.

You should be aiming to affect all the players, simply because one player has the ball and may keep hold of it for too long, may mean that enough options weren't available to them... look at the whole field of play and see where you can make the most impact with some carefully directed points.

Watch this drill animation below for set up.

ORGANISATION

Using a three quarter or half pitch practice to suit the needs of the team, organise the players in to essentially, five stations.

Around the center circle, mark an area and place players in it that will play a possession based game - 3 v 2. Approximately half way between the 18 yard box and the center line, set up another zone and place two players 1 v 1 in this zone.

For the channels mark out an area and place two players in each, so again a 1 v 1 situation arises.

On the edge of the 18 yard box, have 2 defenders and 2 strikers.

The aim is for the ball to start in the midfield zone, where the 3 players attempt to keep possession of the ball for a set number of passes, before then releasing the ball into the advanced midfield player or out into the channels. To condition the game and ensure a spread of the ball in order to make play less predictable, state that the outlet each time has to changed.

The key here is communication, possession, anticipation of the build up by the advanced midfield player, the strikers and the wide players, choosing the right moment to release the ball, accurate passing, movement to create space, provide options and support play.

If the defending team win the ball they should try get the ball into the midfield zone.

The video below shows exactly how to run the drill.

EQUIPMENT

Plenty of soccer balls, 12 cones, half pitch, 16+ players, one full size goal

COACHING POINTS For The In Posession

• Communication
• Accurate passing to feet
• Anticipation and releasing the ball at the right moment
• Movement to create space and make passing angles
• Decision to move up and support

For The Defenders

• Teamwork in closing down and preventing passing channels
• Mental and physical strength to continue to close
• Good recovery lines to get back and deny space & time
• Jockey, shield, force the play by body positioning
• Closeness to the player in possession, touch tight
• Good tackling

PROGRESSION

In order to progress this drill you could...

• Increase the number of defenders
• Develop to a full 11 v 11 game
• Award points for goals scored and attempts defended
• Condition the game so that the advanced midfield player must touch the ball before a shot can be taken

Related Articles

·  Technical & Functional Soccer Practice Explained ·  Improving Communication Between Soccer Players ·  Improving Soccer Link Up Play ·  Soccer Player Movement and Support Exercise ·  Defensive Closing Down & Providing Cover ·  Learning To Set Up A Fast Counter Attack ·  SOS - Helping Soccer Players Make Quick Decisions ·  Coaching strikers to time their run, attack the ball and make clean contact with the ball. ·  Soccer Attacking - 3 v 2 Combination Attack ·  Attacking Soccer - Switching The Play