ATTACKING: PROGRESS THE BALL WITH PURPOSE
William“ Shap” Shapiro Director of Coaching | Union City Soccer Club
1.“ RED TO BLUE TO GREEN”- WARM-UP- 10 MINUTES
2. 3-TEAM POSSESSION- 15 MINUTES
Area: 30 x 30 yards Where on the Field: Any Players: 18( Players are split into 3 equal groups) Objectives: Passing to specific teammates, constant movement, technical development( passing / receiving), communication( speaking AND listening), conditioning / fitness
Description: 3 teams of 6 players, Red players pass to Blue. Blue passes to Green. Green passes back to Red. This pattern forces players to look for specific teammates while maintaining possession. Activity starts with 5 balls forcing the players to pass and then look for another teammate / ball.
Players must also be challenged to keep all the balls inside the grid and 1 player cannot receive 2 balls at once. Coach can challenge players to see how long they can keep the activity going without an error.
Progressions / Variations: Coach can add constraints( e. g., limit touches, weak vs dominant foot, adding more balls into the activity). Activity could start with less / more balls depending on player needs. Can also add fitness element. For example, if a ball leaves the grid players must do 3 pushups / sit-ups before re-entering etc.
Coaching Points: Finding specific player to pass to or receive from. Technical elements related to passing / receiving. Quality communication and decision making related to passing / receiving.
Area: 30x30 yards Where on the Field: Any Players: 18( Players are split into the same 3 groups as Activity 1) Objectives: Maintaining possession with a purposeful direction.( 12v6)
Description: Using same 3 groups from Activity 1, teams play a directional game of possession with 12 players looking to keep possession against 6 defenders. 2 teams work to move the ball back and forth from one side of the field to the other while the 3rd team defends. If defending team wins back possession or ball leaves the grid, the team that lost possession becomes the“ defense.” The 2 teams in possession look to move the ball from one side of the grid to the other as many times as possible.
Progressions / Variations: 1) Players could be required to complete certain amount of passes on one side of grid before advancing ball to other side of grid. 2) Players could be required to keep certain amount of players in each half. 3) Players could be given touch minimum / maximum. 4) Players could be required to pass to all 12( attacking team) before they get a point.
Coaching Points: Maintaining possession while also attacking a“ direction.” Proper communication between players. Proper technical elements related to passing / receiving.
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