Possession to score

This session is based on constant movement on and off the ball, rewarding the players if or when they keep the ball. It uses a scoring system, which is there for the relevance to matchday (ie teams are looking to score and not allow the other team to score if you keep the ball). We are looking at keeping the ball, short and long passes, lots of touches of the ball, adjusting the pitch size, opportunities to score, teamwork, finishing, and involving all players, including the goalkeeper.

We are a possession-based team and this type of session will run at least once a week to really drill into the players the expectations of keeping the ball with the purpose of an end product.

EQUAL TEAMS

We set up in an area of 30x20yds with four mini goals positioned around the space. This diagram shows an example of 8v8 plus goalkeepers, but you can work with fewer players. The goalkeepers are positioned in between the two mini goals at their end, predominantly working on their footwork, receiving skills, and playing styles; they are allowed to catch the ball in their hand but should be encouraged to play using their feet. The footballs should all be with the coach to maintain rhythm and speed of practice. 

The set-up has four mini goals, and one team (the reds) will start by scoring in any of them but cannot score in the same one twice [1a]. 

[1a]

1. Coach plays ball in
2. Reds look to score in any of the mini goals

For the other team (the blues) to score, they need to make five passes (you can increase or decrease depending on the standard of players or if it is too easy) then they become the team that can score straight into any mini goal [1b].

[1b]

1. Blue team seek to gain possession and make five passes
2. They are then able to score in any mini goal

The starting team then have to regain the ball and make five passes before scoring in the mini goal. The first team to score three goals in the mini goals wins that game.

To change the degree of difficulty, you can change the angle of the mini goals.

We run this for two to four rounds. We can run just this exercise for up to 30 minutes, or we can go into a progression.

ONE-TOUCH FINISH

We set up exactly as before, but this time the team scoring in the mini goals must operate with a one-touch finish [2a] ...

[2a]

1. Coach plays ball in
2. Reds look to score in any of the mini goals on a one-touch finish

... and the team trying to keep possession have to make a minimum of six passes [2b]. 

[2b]

1. Blue team seek to gain possession and make six passes
2. They are then able to score in any mini goal

TWO HALVES

We set up exactly as before but now split the area into two halves, where the attacking team are locked in with a minimum amount of players in each half. The team trying to keep possession in order to score have to make a minimum of four passes [3].  

[3]

1. Coach plays ball in
2. Reds now have a minimum number of players in each half
3. Reds now need to make only four passes in order to give themselves a scoring chance

COACHING POINTS

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

• The idea of when and how to create space as soon as your teammate has the ball, supporting short, side and long.
• Stay on the ball when you have space, keep the ball moving in tight areas, try to keep lending the ball in order to move the opposition around the pitch to create an opening to score or keep possession.
• Building play from the back.
• Attacking in the final third – moving the ball left to right in order to create opportunities and products such as crossing, finishing, and setting up teammate for a one-touch finish.
• Players should be thinking about never turning their back away from play, maintaining an open body shape, the weight of pass, where they can score, who they can pass the ball to, who they can receive the ball from, and making the pitch bigger or smaller.

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

• Lots of touches on the ball losing possession – give conditions and restraints on the game.
• Too many turnovers – give players partnerships or units to play with, getting close on and off the ball.