The post was provided by World Class Coaching

By Matthew Carroll

Description:
The purpose of the press v. drop game is to recreate game situations where there is an opportunity to press high up in the opponent’s half. If the the press is broken it also recreates the need to regain shape in the team’s own defensive half.

Setup:
Field is divided into three equal parts. Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3. Goals and goalies are placed at either end of Zone 1 and 3. Balls should be placed into goals as all restarts come from goalkeepers.

Execution:
The ball is played out from a goalie to start. If a team wins possession in their defensive third (as they do off the start) the team off the ball must press heavily.

Their goal is to score off the press. If the team on the ball gets the ball into the middle zone they must complete 5 passes and the other team cannot defend them. The off the ball team must drop into their defensive third to try to set up a defensive shape.

Any restart from the team in their defensive third cannot immediately go to the middle box via the goalkeeper to a player, a player must receive in zone ⅓ and then dribble it into zone 2.

Variations:
Zonal shape and challenge can vary Throw ins and kicks can be introduced

 

For more great small-sided games take a look at this great eBook:

40 Small-Sided Games

This post was provided by World Class Coaching

By Matthew Carroll

Description:
The purpose of transition keep away is to simulate the pressure experienced under build up play, with the overall result of by retaining possession in a team’s own third they open up opportunities in the opponent’s final third.

Setup:
Two boxes 30×30 boxes with a goal at the end of one of the boxes. two 8 player teams set up in the possession box, and 3 players from each team set up in the second box.

Execution:
In box 1 the possession team (black) attempts to connect on a set number of passes (10, 20, 30, etc.) within the grid. If they accomplish their goal they win and become the counter attack team, while the counter attack team becomes the possession team.

The defending team (yellow) must attempt to intercept a pass and attempt to counter into box 2, every player can enter the second box so rapid transition should give the yellow team numbers up in box 2 with a chance to score on net. The possession team attempts to win the ball back and bring in into box 1 to restart their count and attempt to achieve their goal.

Variations:
Goals can be set up on either end, and instead of the game being reset in the possession box after a failed counter attempt, the counter box becomes the possession box and the possession team just possesses in the same box they were just defending

Click for more ideas about Coaching Soccer Through Small-Sided Games

This post was provided by World Class Coaching

By Matt Carroll

Description:
The purpose of the Transition to Attack drill is to recreate the pressure of defending in a team’s own final third and creating lighting quick counter-attacks from this position using support play from the 9 and 10.

Setup:
The 10×54 yd field is split into three phases. 5 black players are placed as defenders representing the back line, the 6, and the 8. 4 yellow players are placed as attackers representing the 9s, 10, and 7/11. A red 10 is placed in the 2nd phase, and another red 9 is placed in phase 3. Balls are played in by the coach to attacking team at the edge of phase 1 and 2.

Execution:
Ball is initially played into the yellow team, who attempts to score goals against the black team. The black team then attempts to win the ball and play to the red player in phase 2.

Once they have played a pass to the red player they can then move onto phase 3 where they must play a pass to the green 9. Regular out of bounds rules are applied, every restart after a goal comes from the coaches

Variations:
Defenders can be added to oppose the red team

The middle line can be bypassed.

 

World Class Coaching provides a wide variety of great coaching resources.

 

Click here to check out more great drills and videos 

 

This post provided by World Class Coaching

By Matthew Carroll

Description:
The Killer Pass Game is used to enhance a player’s ability to utilize pockets of space between lines to create scoring opportunities. In addition to this the passing players must be creative and find a rapport with the receiving players. Defenders must work as a unit, and the tight space of the drill bring in a conditioning element.

Setup:
Create a grid as wide as the 18 and 5 yards out from it. Place all balls beyond the grid. Split the 18 with a single cone. Place two “Sweepers” in the two 18 grids. Place one “10” with the balls. Take every other player and split them evenly into attackers and defenders within the grid.

Execution:
The passer must play a ball either to one of the attackers or into the 18 for the attackers to run onto.

The defenders must try to stop the attacker from receiving a ball but cannot enter the 18. Once the ball is into the grid the sweepers (who must stay in their grid) must defend the attacker.

If the attacker scores he then becomes an additional passer, if he does not score he must go back into the grid outside the 18. Only one ball can be in each 18 grid at a time (so two attackers can technically be in the 18 at the same time).

Variations:
The numbers of the attackers and defenders can vary, as well as sweepers and passers.

Players that score can be removed, or rotate in for the passer

 

In the video clip below Tom Mura from World Class Coaching diagrams and explains a great 1v1 drill that transitions to a 3v3 drill.

The setup is fairly simple. Begin by creating three lanes approximately 12 yards wide using flat markers that allow balls to roll over easily. Place a goal and the end of each lane and some sort of obstacle in the middle (flag, cone, mannequin etc..)

In the first part of this exercise, place players in each lane with players at each goal. The players will begin dribbling towards the obstacle. When the reach the obstacle the will make a move around the obstacle and continue dribbling to the other end. You may allow the players to make any move the want or you may dictate the move that you want them to practice. Be sure to make sure that the players headed in opposite directions in each lane both make their move either to the right or left.

In the second part of the exercise, you will remove the obstacle. The balls will all be moved to the one end. The player with the ball in each lane will pass to the player at the other end and then follow their pass. The two will now play 1v1 in their lane.

Next, you can transition to 3v3. Here all of the players must stay in their lanes. A player at one end will pass the ball to one of the three players at the other end. The players will then try to score in any one of the goals at the other end. Each team is attacking three goals and defending three goals.

In the next progression, two attackers are allowed to move into the same lane. This should become easier for the attacking team to score.

Next, you can allow two defenders to also enter the same lane.

This is a great drill to get a lot of reps and work on different moves.

This is just one of many great dills and other resources available at World Class Coaching.

The YouTube video below has audio, so please make sure that your speakers are turned on. Note that some school block access to YouTube.