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third DRILLS
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1 vs 2 Attacking A Goal

Two players line up on opposite sides of the grid to each other, with a third player placed between them in goal. Player 1 dribbles the ball around the cone and then tries to score in the goal. Player 2 must also run around the far cone before then attempting to stop player 1 from scoring.

Defending

1, 2, 3 Pass and Move

There are two triangles in this drill, both using the same top point player (player 5). Players in the top triangle pass in an anti-clockwise direction and players in the lower triangle pass in a clock-wise direction. Both pairs of players must use the middle player as their third passing option.

Passing and Receiving

3 v 1 long pass

6 players work in an area approximately 30 meters wide, divided in two with a third boxed area at one end. Red team play a 3 v 1 inside the first area but need to look for early deep ball to blue (3) in smaller coned area. The Blue team has also got a player (2) in the centre zone this player can not enter the area where the reds are keeping possession.

Conditioned games

Circle Throws

The keeper works their way around the circle and must react to three different types of feed which they must try to catch/stop and then return the feeder. The first feed is a simple chest-height catch. After this first stop the keeper then jogs around two cones before sharply changing direction and diving low to catch the second feed. After this the keeper quickly gets back to their feet and jogs around the next cone before then diving to catch the third feed.

Goalkeeping

Heading triangle

The player with the ball feeds it anti-clockwise to the second player's head for them to head to the third player in the triangle. The third player now feeds the ball to the first player for them to head to the second player's hands.

Heading

Keeping Triangle

Standing on the first cone of the triangle the keeper catches the volleyed ball into their body and then throws it back out to the feeder. They then move around the next cone. After they've run around the second cone the second feeder passes the ball along the floor at the third cone. The keeper dives low to catch the ball and then returns it before getting to their feet to catch the third ball which has been passed to the first cone by the third feeder. Drill continues in this way.

Goalkeeping

Passing and Receiving

Split your players into three equal sized teams, with two teams starting inside the area and the third spread around the outside of the grid. The team on the outside of the grid are neutral players. When they receive the ball they must pass back to a player on the same team that originally passed to them. The two teams inside the area play a possession game. The challenge for each team is to score 10 (or more) consecutive passes to score a goal.

Passing and Receiving

Run and Pass

Player 1 (red) runs the ball to the third cone. They then play a diagonal pass across to the player on the opposite side. The player on the opposite side runs to the third cone in tandem with Player 1 (red) and also plays a diagonal pass to Player 2 Red. Repeat. After making the pass players should chase their pass across so that they force the nearest player to get the ball out of their feet quickly.

Crossing and Finishing

Third man Passing

Players move to meet the pass and play a one-two. After playing the return pass the player should then move to receive the diagonal pass. The patten then continues all the way around the grid.

Passing and Receiving

3 man weave Passing and Receiv...

3 players run down the pitch, passing and interchanging to finish with a shot at goal. Player in the middle starts with the ball. They pass the ball to one of the outside players and overlaps around them. The second player passes the ball to the player on the other side and overlaps around them. Each player receives the ball from the same player every time and they should overlap around the player they pass to. 

General

1, 2, 3 Pass and Move Passing ...

There are two triangles in this drill, both using the same top point player (player 5). Players in the top triangle pass in an anti-clockwise direction and players in the lower triangle pass in a clock-wise direction. Both pairs of players must use the middle player as their third passing option.

General

3 Player Combination Passing a...

Set up as shown. The player in the middle starts with the ball. They play a diagonal ball into space so that the player to the right can run onto it. That player now plays a square ball to the player far left who plays a 1st time ball to the middle player.

General

Simple 2v1 Possession Possessi...

2 players try and keep possession of the ball against 1 defender who has to put pressure on the player with the ball. Players passing should try and look in the opposite direction to their intended pass (not all the time).<br>Coaching Points:- <br>Use of dummies<br>Pass with all parts of both feet

General

3 vs 1 Keep ball Possession - ...

Straight forward passing and moving drill with only two touches on the ball. The blue players off the ball can only receive the ball at one of the four cones in each corner of the area and the red player is trying to intercept the ball.

General

Third man Passing Passing and ...

Players move to meet the pass and play a one-two. After playing the return pass the player should then move to receive the diagonal pass. The patten then continues all the way around the grid.

General

3 Man Pass and Run Passing and...

Players pass and then move to find an empty cone. Players should take 1 touch. With bigger numbers in your training session you can increase the number of cones and the number of balls accordingly.

General

3 v 1 long pass Passing and Re...

6 players work in an area approximately 30 meters wide, divided in two with a third boxed area at one end. Red team play a 3 v 1 inside the first area but need to look for early deep ball to blue (3) in smaller coned area. The Blue team has also got a player (2) in the centre zone this player can not enter the area where the reds are keeping possession.

General

3 vs 3 Football Possession - S...

Each teams has 3 players and one goal to defend and one to attack. The ball is not allowed to stop or go over head height. By passing and dribbling the ball players must try to score three goals - first to three wins!

General

1 V 1 - 3 Goal Game Defending ...

Two players line up on opposite sides of a square. The attacking player dribbles the ball towards the centre before then attempting to stop the ball between one of the goals. The goal nearest to the defender's starting point is worth 10 points as it is the hardest goal to stop the ball in. The middle goal is worth 5 and the top goal only 1 point.

General

3 Man Pass and Run 2 Passing a...

Players pass and then move to find an empty cone. Players should take 2 touches, 1 to control and 1 to pass.

General

Cobi Jones Speedstar Possessio...

Station small goals (2 yards wide) in each corner of the area facing in towards the field of play with no goalkeepers. Play a 4 v 4 or a 6 v 6. The teams must try to keep possession and dribble the ball through the cones in order to score.

General

3 v 3 v 3 Conditioned games - ...

Station 6 players in 2 teams of 3 in 1/3 of the area and 3 players in 1 team in the other 1/3. The ball starts in the area at the top of the diagram. The 3 players in possession must attempt to advance the ball into the middle area. The team advancing the ball into this area then carries the ball into the opposing 1/3. Now they must attempt to advance the ball to the end line at the bottom of the diagram beyond the 3 players in the bottom 1/3. Defensive players must attempt to prevent the team in possession from getting the ball to either the middle area or the end line. Play continues from end to end with the winner being the first team to get to 5 points/goals. Develop so that 3 defenders become 2 defenders plus a goalkeeper. Now you have 3 attackers trying to beat 2 defenders and score past the goalkeeper.

General

2 touch 3's Passing Passing an...

Set up as shown with 2 cones (the disatance of which between can be modified depending on ability or challenge you want to set your players). 1 player on each cone and 1 player in the middle, 1 ball between the 3. Players always take 2 touches, the ball is moved from one end, into the middle man and then to the other end before the sequence is repeated from the other side.

General

Interceptor Possession - Footb...

Four players with one ball can only be outside the square of cones. Only one defender is allowed inside the square. The players on the outside have to pass the ball through the square to score a goal. The ball must remain on the floor. The player in the middle tries to intercept the ball. Players should move the ball around at speed to move the defender out of position and create pass to pass across the square.

General

Overloading to push up Conditi...

The pitch is split into 3 thirds with 2 defenders in the defending third, 2 midfielders in the middle third and 1 attacker in the attacking third. The ball starts with one of the goalkeepers who plays the ball into one of the defenders. The defenders play a 2v1 against the oppositions attacking player (3v1 if you include the goalkeeper) with the objective of trying to get the ball into one of the midfield players. Once this occurs, the defender who has not passed the ball into the midfield area can go and join the middle third to create a 3v2 situation. The midfield players then try to play the ball into the attacker placed inside the attacking third. ONe of the non-passing midfielders can then enter the attacking third to create a 2v2. Then the attackers try to score against the opposition. Once the ball goes dead, into the goal or is regained by the opposition, the same scenario occurs with the other team in possession and the defending team must retreat to their defensive zones.

General

Triangle passing Possession - ...

Set out a triangle with 3 cones all 1 meter apart. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2 through the area of the triangle. Player 2 has to control the ball and touch it to the side before playing a return pass. Players must make sure that when they make a return pass that it is never played through the same side of the triangle that they have just received the ball through.

General

Overloading Conditioned games ...

The pitch set up has a defending zone and an attacking zone, divided by a midfield channel. The defending zone and attacking zone have 2 defenders and 2 attackers in each zone. The midfield channel has 2 neutral (no.10) players inside. The defenders receive the ball from the goalkeeper and play through to one of the neutral midfield players (with the attacking players trying to stop this). The neutral players then play into the attacking players and join the attacking zone to create a 3v2 overload. Try to score in the opposition goal. Progression 1: Neutral players are split iinto one player for each team (i.e. one becomes blue, one red). These players are unnoposed to begin with in the central channel (but this makes only one midfield player to play into from the defensive zone).Progression 2: Central zone players become opposed (i.e. the opposition midfield player can intercetpt etc). The ball can be set back from the midfield players into the defensive players to play through into the attacking zone. Progression 3: The midfield players can drop into the defensive zone to make a 3v2 overload.

General

9 v 9 Wide Play Passing and Re...

Setup: 50 x 40 with wide zone for full backs / wingersExplanation: Ball starts with either the coach or either GK.Once the ball is in play, the defending team are tasked with getting immediate pressure on the ball from front to back.1st and 2nd defenders show press aggressively and force the opposition to play backwards or side wards or long.Look for clear communication from players in positions behind to help support the closest players to the ball.Aim is to win the ball back and counter attack quickly or regain controlled possession.

General

6 vs 2 Invasion Game Defending...

High Intensity drillThis a 6 vs 2 invasion game. Mark out three areas in a line (each box 15m x 25m) using cones (You can adjust the area based on the level of the players and if it is too easy for the Attackers or Defenders).Start with 6 players in each of the two end areas and 4 in the middle area.The aim of this drill is for the 6 players in each end to keep possession of the ball, with those in the middle taking turns to try and win the ball. Players in the end zone have 2 touches maximum or a point goes to the Defenders.To start, a Feeder will throw the ball into one of the ends. Two Defenders will then move into the relevant end and chase down passes in an effort to win the ball back in a 6 vs 2 game.The 6 players will be passing the ball amongst themselves. Once they have completed 6 successful passes then they can pass to the opposite end. When this happens, the players left in the middle will enter that end and do the same thing.The Defenders work for 3 minutes then rotate the playing positions around.

General

Keeping Triangle Goalkeeping -...

Standing on the first cone of the triangle the keeper catches the volleyed ball into their body and then throws it back out to the feeder. They then move around the next cone. After they've run around the second cone the second feeder passes the ball along the floor at the third cone. The keeper dives low to catch the ball and then returns it before getting to their feet to catch the third ball which has been passed to the first cone by the third feeder. Drill continues in this way.

General

Barcelona Small Sided Game Pos...

The aim of the drill is to work on helping your team keep possession all over the field. The game starts with normal rules, no limitations on touches, with both teams simply trying to score. The game changes when the coach shouts the following: 1. Possession - Players must keep possession in their own half, which of course means they are not allowed to score. If a team wins the ball, they must take the ball to their own half and try and keep it. 2. Normal - Teams return to a normal game and are allowed to score. 3. Barca - Similar to possession, but this time players must attempt to keep the ball in the other teams half, but they are not allowed to score. If the other team wins the ball they must get the ball into their opponent's half and keep it there.

General

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third SESSIONS
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Playing through the thirds

The modern style of football encourages teams to get the ball down and pass into the guts of the pressing team to break the lines and move the ball up the field through each third.

Training for Pre-Season: Pass and Move

Pre-season training doesn't have to be boring! Use the 5 drills in this fitness plan to get your players back in shape and improving their passing game.

Improving body positioning and shaping of runs

Keep the attacking fire burning and get your players opening up their body, thinking about their first touch and angling their runs up field

Goalkeeping Shot Stopping From the Angle

To improve the goalkeeper making saves from shots from the angle.

Decision Making In & Around The Box

Improve combinations in wide areas and finishing in around the box!

Killer Pass

Pass with purpose and inject some pace and danger into your attacks by recognising a killer pass and making the sharp runs to make the pass n option.

Forward Passing in Advanced Areas

Unlock defences with incisive passes in the final third and see the forward get chance after chance.

Finishing for your Strikers and Forwards

Quality of finish is the order of the day in this clinical goal scoring session - improving speed of play and striking accuracy

Supporting front players in th...

Play with the ball in the final third. Create sustained attacking pressure by working on the timing of runs and developing the players passing skills.
third ANSWERS
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How to maintain our midfield formation?

iam coaching under 16s boys soccer and we keep losing our shape paticulary in mid field and this is where i want to control the game from but there always seem to be no one marking up when there is a quick change of possion

Archived User Coach

My team can't seem to get the ball and pass?

Every time my get the ball they will always kick it long and give straight to the time where as they need to gert it and pass. Can any one help?

Matthew Perkins Coach, England

Warm up routine before football match

Hi has anyone got a good warm up routine for a under 18 team before a match?

DAN BRYAN Coach, England

How do i get my u14 team to compete for the ball?

During a match, my team seem to stand back and let the other team take control. Is there anyway I can get them to be first to the ball and compete to win?

Archived User Coach

Warm up tips and ideas for before training?

can u suggest warm ups before training and how long between drills thanx

Archived User Coach

What's best method of getting team confident with 3 backs?

i want mid and strikers to feel like they can roam anywhere to create space or opportunity. Problem is they are so set in positional play they struggle to think outside square or trust team mates will cover zones

benjamin frean Coach, New Zealand

Attacking final third

Need a plan to get my U21s to attack spaces in opposition half rather than over passing. opposition are just defending in numbers and blocking play.

Archived User Coach

Sessions suitable for a third of a pitch

I coach adults using a third of an astro pitch with 1 full size goal and 2 small goals. I often have 16-20 players so space is at a premium. Does anyone have any good drills that will work with the numbers and space available?

Colin Castle Coach, England

Training Session disruptions

How can i nip it in the butt when the players are just messing around when they should be listening during practice, dont want to shout at because ill lose all respect from them? Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Ade Coach, England

Which drill to teach first?

Is there a recommended order to teach drills? For example, if teaching dribbling, which drill would I teach first and then second, third etc. This is for inexperienced 9 year olds.

Ian Ramsey Coach, England

Teaching 4-4-2

Recommendations teaching 4-4-2 formation to 12-14 yr olds in short time frame.

Rick Fielden Coach, United States of America

More Dills

is there one for a 3 person crossing drill ?

Connor 0 Coach, England

Team thrashed every week - whe...

Team keep getting thrashed every week - where to start? Having been the sole coach/manager of a little league team for the past two years, this year I lost all my senior players. I was therefore presented with 10 brand new lads, some of whom have never played competitive football. We are 8 games in and my lads are getting thrashed every week. The main problems are that they cannot get the ball out of their half, positions are usually a mess, finishing and chance creation are non-existent, and they don't apply any pressure or are unable to tackle. The main problems are keeping the ball as a team, getting it in the opponents half and staying there, and creating/finishing chances. I only have 1 and a half hours a week with them. I don't really know what to do, and I'm a little desperate. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks for literally anything.

Coach, England

how can I progress this sessio...

Cedric Pisani Coach, Malta

, U13's Girls Pass and Movehow...

U13's Girls Pass and Movehow do you bring spatial awareness into play so the players are not just passing to whoever they see, at times putting the receiving player in a no-win position

Steven Good Coach, Australia

hello ive got a under 10s team...

hello ive got a under 10s team im trying to make them pass and move and get the player who has the ball support we are playing seven a side at the moment i play 3-2-1

gavin prince Coach, England

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