keeping possession

two SSGs (small sided games) that work on keeping possession, creating space and good ball control. 

from the Professional Footballers Association website - givemefootball.com

The importance of retaining possession of the ball can't be emphasised enough to either young or experienced players.

Key issues to be developed in this practice are:-

1. Players learning to create space for themselves.

2. Accurate passing not only to feet but top the advantage of the receiving player.

3. Good control with the first touch of the football by the receiver.

4. Correct weight on the ball by the player making the pass.

5. Weighing up the positions of players on both teams while the game is progressing.

Practice 1

3 teams

1. 4 v 4 on the field which is 40 metres x 30 metres.

2. 1 team on the sidelines - 2 on either side of the field

3. Two goals - with goalkeepers

4. The practice is for the outfield players to score in opponent's goal - the coach stressing the points raised in key issues.

5. The outfield players can use the players on the perimeter X1 - X4, who will return the ball to which side passes to them.

6. So if A's are in possession, they will try and score past G (B) - the B's must try and win the ball, and they in turn will try and score past G (A).

7. The game should last for 5 - 10 minutes, the players rotate. X's come into the playing area, with either A's or B's replacing them on the perimeter.

This is good practice for young soccer players - a whole team can be used with the coach working at weaknesses.

THE COACH MUST STRESS ALL THE KEY ISSUES THROUGHOUT.

Practice 2

Similar to practice 1.

Pitch same dimensions. 2 goals, with the teams having the same objectives 5 against 5 (A's and B's) with X's on the perimeter.

This time 2 X's on the touchline and 2 on the goal line. Each one can manoeuvre up and down the line to receive the ball, and must return it as quickly as possible to A's or B's - ONE TOUCH ONLY IF POSSIBLE.

To start practices 1 and 2 - all players in the area are allowed unlimited touches. Then to tighten up the practice they should be allowed only 2 touches on the ball, i.e. one to control the ball, the other to pass to a colleague. Players on the perimeter similarly can first be allowed to consider situations, then must be progressed to return the ball immediately after receiving.