Retaining possession

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My key football philosophy has always been to make sure my teams keep hold of the ball. The use of possession in creating space and reducing opposition threat is recreated in every match situation, so this knowledge is invaluable in the modern game.

While the concept is straightforward, searching for improvement and development in this vital skill is important. There are a variety of challenges that enable us to perfect the art…

Carlos Carvalhal

Passing and effective possession play

The aim of this session is to get players to use effective possession play as a tool to move and disorganise the opposition’s defence and to penetra...

Paul Hurst

Possession and transition

This session involves two teams playing against each other but each team has a different objective. In the basic session one of the teams attempts to...

Gary Rowett

Playing against pressure

This is a session that aims to combat the threat of playing against a team that presses well in central areas. We practise this so that players can d...

I would recommend it to any coach

Roy Hodgson

Graham Taylor OBE

Possession and scoring

For players to see the options in the final third, simply, they must play with their heads up, and this is a session that has this as its heart, encou...

Nick Cushing

Scoring against a low block

This is a possession practice to help players develop an understanding of the concepts of how to create and use space, particularly how to create 1v1 ...

Steve Eyre

The 100 passes game

This session looks at transitioning between attack and defence. It’s useful for us because it examines all the elements of pressure, possession, tec...

Garry Monk

Aligning possession practices to our tactical model

This session begins by focusing on the defensive transition following possession loss, before training in possession principles of play. It’s a pra...

Matt Beard

Reinforcing team fundamentals

The main objective of this session is to make sure players are comfortable on the ball and confident in possession. It focuses on the fundamentals of ...

Scott Parker

Finding the third man

This session is about encouraging players to work in threes, using passing combinations to find the third man free of his defender. This concept is a ...

Mark Robins

Passing Precision

This session combines short and long passing. It’s great for helping players use the ball in small and compacted areas, teaching them when to hold p...

Stuart Gray

Mastering possession

This is a competitive session devised of two similar games. It involves players being put under pressure in keeping possession, and also enhances fitn...

Gary Bowyer

Possession football

This session is not only about having an appreciation of the ball and keeping possession, but also looks at the importance of winning possession back,...

Mark Yates

Possession play

The session focuses on build-up play with forward passing through midfield using short and longer balls into the frontman. This is very useful in ensu...

Graeme Jones

Position-specific possession

This session looks at how players should adapt their possession habits depending on where they find themselves on the pitch. Because the practice re...

Brian Barry-Murphy

Counter-attack v possession play

This is a small-sided game working on the principles of counter-attacking and keeping possession. With one team looking to keep the ball for a set num...

Johnathan McKinstry

Positive possession

This session is all about coaching players to use positive possession. Through a series of ever progressing stages, players are rehearsed in the const...

Lee Clark

Rotational play

This practice is about players supporting and creating space for themselves and their team mates through clever rotation, an awareness of space, and e...

Keith Hill

Regain and retain techniques when outnumbered

This session is imperative for reminding our lads that, in any game, possession is king, with players under pressure to regain and retain possession w...

I look forward to receiving every issue

José Mourinho

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