3 team keepaway

Minutes: 10-20 Number of players: 9-18 Ages: 9-14

Objectives: soccer warm-up, team work, ball control, possession, passing

Description:

Make 3 teams (Green-Blue-Red) 4v4v4 or 5v5v5 or 6v6v6 in Square grid about 25 x 25. Vary the size for player numbers and ability. One team starts as the defenders and the other two teams play keepaway. When the defenders win the ball the team colour which was responsible for losing the ball become the defenders. You can give a goal for X number of consecutive passes.

This is an excellent warm up and very good for improving small, quick passes.

It’s also a good drill for improving general ball control, awareness and team work.

I use this on every training as a warm up in a square grid about 20 x 20 meters.

2v2 with 2 neutrals

The X’s and O’s play possession football. They can use the neutrals (the ‘N’s in the diagram) if they are in trouble. The two sides without neutrals on represents the corner of a pitch.

To make the game more competitive you can award a point for completing a set number of consecutive passes (easier) or keeping the ball for a set period (harder).

This routine helps your children to avoid pressure by playing themselves into a corner. It also encourages communication and keeping their heads up.

1. Keep moving

2. Look up often

3. Switch it often

4. Play quick passes

5. Talk A LOT

2v1 Sieve

2v1 Sieve works on attacking and defending skills.

Set up three to five 10×10 yard grids in a row. Place two lines of attackers at one end, and give a ball to all the players in one line. Position a defender in each grid.

Two attackers enter the first grid and try to beat the first defender, who cannot leave the area. If successful, they move into the next grid and take on the next defender, and so on. Every time they beat a defender they get a point.

Defenders only have to knock the ball out of the grid area to stop the attack. Each time the defenders stop an attack, they move up a space, changing places with the defenders in the grids in front of them.

The defenders become attackers by stopping an attack in the first grid. When this happens, the attacker who lost the ball goes into the last grid and becomes the new defender for that grid, the successful defender in the first grid goes to the end of the attacking lines, and the remaining defenders all move forward by one grid.

The first players to earn a predetermined number of points win.

2v1 to goal

Improves tackling, passing and shooting skills

A defensive player kicks the football out to two offensive players. The defender follows the pass and tries to win the football back and clear it toward either of two goals placed wide. The offensive players try to score on goal.

Rotation: The player who shoots or loses the ball rotates to the defensive line. The other two players go to the offensive line.

COACHING POINTS

Offence

“Settle the ball on the ground. Keep it in front of you” when receiving the kick from the defender.

“Dribble at the defender”–the offensive player who receives the ball should proceed to the defender.

“Pass the ball once the defender is committed”—if the defender is committed to stopping the dribble, the other offensive player should be open.

“The player without the ball should stay even with the ball or behind it”–don’t get behind the defender or in an off side position.

Defence

“Close the space quickly”– Shut down the player with the ball.

“Force the play to the outside”–away from the other attacker.

VARIATIONS

Play with a goalkeeper.

Allow only one pass for offensive players.

Allow another defender to enter play once the first pass is made.

Require a one-touch shot for a player who receives the ball in the penalty area

1v1 to goal

This game will improve your players’ desire to win the ball before their opponent and sharpen their shooting skills.

Objective: To encourage a ‘be first’ mentality and get players taking quick shots.

Age group: U6 upwards.

Number of players: Whole squad.

Set up: Place a normal-sized goal on one end of a 30 yards by 40 yards playing area. Place one flat cone about 20 yards in front of both posts.

Put a goalkeeper in goal and divide your squad into two teams. Place each team next to a goalpost. You stand to one side of the playing area with a supply of balls.

How to play:

On your command, the first player in each line runs around the cone in front of their post. As they run, you play a ball into the playing area midway between the cones and the goal. Both players try to be first to the ball and the first to score in the goal.

The first team to 10 points wins the game.

1v1v1

Game Rules

One ball for three players in the area shown in the diagram, approximately 15 yards square.
Each player plays against the other two players.
Each player tries to score in a goal four to five yards wide.
When the ball goes out of play, the coach puts another ball in play.
Goalkeeper making a save throws the ball to the coach.
After 10 balls are served, all three players and the goalkeeper are changed.
Keep score and play the winners against each other to name the champion.

Player Objectives

Control the ball from the coach.

Manipulate the ball to avoid challenges.

Shield the ball when necessary.

Change direction – turn with the ball.

Change pace.

Shoot at the earliest opportunity.

1v1 No tackling!

it doesn’t get much simpler than this….

A defender on the goal line plays the ball out to an attacker who is 30 – 40 yards away.

The defender then closes down the attacker who tries to get past the defender to score.

The defender is not allowed to tackle, only contain and block any attempted shots.

Note: I’ve found this game to be excellent at helping children to stop ‘diving in’ during matches.

1v1 Battles

Improve tackling, dribbling and shielding skills

The Game

Play one v one, trying to score through a ‘two-sided’ goal. There is no out-of-bounds. The player in possession of the ball is the attacker, the other player, the defender. Play games of one minute in duration.

Coaching Points

Defenders: steer attacker away from the goal, tackle when ball is exposed, get goal side when possession is lost.

Attackers: try to face the defender whenever possible change speed, change direction; shield the ball when trying to maintain possession.