Grid possession game

This is a session that can be used to coach in-possession or out-of-possession principles. It can be used as an extension of a passing-and-receiving session but can be progressed into a possession with an element of contact. It is a low-end physical session, so we use it on MD-1 or -2 with a focus on the technical detail as there is no high-speed running, minimal distance and very few accelerations or decelerations.

It allows us to focus on our principles without the physical demands of a normal possession-based practice or game. It promotes everything from absolute basic passing and receiving skills to more advanced passing and disguise to break lines, or moving the opposition to create passing lanes and opportunities. Every pass throughout the session must be under head height, so players can’t just chip it forward, and we are focused on passing and receiving. It requires a minimum of 18 players but can work with up to 26.

We love sessions that are simple and easy to understand for players, which allows us to coach the detail within and especially when you can shift your focus to in-possession, out-of-possession and transitions. This practice allows all of the above, and it is competitive to finish. We have a group of sessions which allow this, but I chose this one as it can be used with a wide variety of abilities, and it can be built up over time to allow extra challenge for the players.

It doesn’t require a lot of room and can easily be altered for numbers, abilities, testing in-possession or out-of-possession principles and can be managed by one or two coaches, or have multiple coaches working on in-possession or out-of-possession principles, working on finishing, working on communication, or “bullseye”-ing individuals within the session.

This session applies to all small-sided games and bigger space games. In possession, it is about keeping the ball with the purpose of breaking lines and staying in possession as we are a possession-based team. It is about patience but with purpose and forcing the opposition to lose shape, control, discipline while working them physically out of possession.

Out of possession, it is the opposite. Stay disciplined, with the nearest player applying pressure or making the next pass predictable; keep moving into position while the ball moves; screen a forward pass while ready to engage the player closest to you; communicate to allow all of this to happen and help your team-mate.

The biggest strength of this practice is when the players have done it a couple of times, they understand the rules and how it works, and then they can concentrate on the detail within it, which can be position-specific, in possession or out of possession, part of a warm-up or part of the main session, and is relevant regardless of the formation your team plays.

ACTIVITY

We set up in our grid; each box is 8yd x 8yd. Players can be placed in the grid in a place specific to their position or randomly, dependent on the coach’s choice. The goalkeepers are in full size goals with the box marked out.

The strikers are positioned outside the box; you can add 10s or wingers depending on the number of players you have.

In this diagram, players are in the grid in a place specific to their possession. Players in possession move the ball from side to side [1a] ...

[1a]

1. Blue players in possession move ball from side to side 

2. Red players press but cannot come out of their box 

... looking to break the line into the next zone [1b]. 

[1b]

1. Blue player breaks the line  

2. Blue player in next zone receives 

If the players in possession break the next line, strikers have three touches to finish; they can link up or go alone [1c]. Players out of possession can shift, go high or drop, but they cannot come out of their box.

When a team gains possession, they are looking to play forward and break a line before the defending team gets set; if not, they look to tidy the ball and move it to probe. When a team is out of possession, they are looking to narrow quickly and engage or drop to stop the forward pass, and re-organise.

[1c]

1. Blue player breaks the line

2. Blue striker receives ball 

3. Blue striker has three touches to finish

We progress this in rounds 3 to 5 by allowing one defender to “jump” – leaving their box to try and win the ball [1d]. Can the in-possession team recognise the jump and quickly move the ball to use the space left and break the line?

We run this for four or five sets of two or three minutes.

[1d]

1. Progression – one red defender “jumps”, ie leaves box to try and win ball 

COACHING POINTS

What are the key things to look out for technically and tactically?

In rounds 1 and 2, from the players in possession we are looking for: pass and receive quality; one or two touches; weight of pass, firm to allow line break, soft to allow one-touch pass; trying to move the defenders to create a passing lane; disguising the pass to move a defender; patience with a purpose, looking when to play forward; breaking lines with quality to allow a through-ball and finish; the striker’s decision to link up or go alone. 

From the players out of possession we are looking for: engaging direct opponent, getting high and narrowing the passing lane; the other three defenders should be shifting across and dropping to stop the forward pass; as the ball moves across, the defenders move; communication; encouragement.

What are the typical mistakes that players might make, and how do I avoid them?

In-possession team: Players will try to force the ball through lines and lose possession. They will play too firm or too soft, they will pass without real thought on pass detail. Good coaching questions would be: Why did you choose that weight of pass? What were you trying to achieve? What options did the receiver have? Could you have disguised the pass? Where might you take your first touch to allow a forward pass next?

Out-of-possession team: Players may not use all of their box to narrow angles; players can switch off and allow easy forward passes; players won’t talk or communicate well to help their team-mates.