This post provided by World Class Coaching

By Matthew Carroll

Description:
The 2 v 1 Striker Madness game is meant to simulate as many situations a striker may see in the box, with pressure, as possible. The idea is that although it is a team game that implements passing, defending, and movement on and off the ball, the focus stays on the striker receiving and shooting a ball.

Setup:
Have a pile of balls (the number of balls will determine the competitiveness and the length of the game) set up about ten yards out from the 18. Have your players get into, or assign, groups of three. Within those groups have the players designated as defenders (1s) wear yellow, your passers (2s) in red, and your strikers (3s) in black. Depending on age and ability assign 1-2 goalkeepers as well. Have the defenders and strikers arrange themselves inside the 18, with the passers lining up behind the pile of balls.

Execution:
The goal of the game is that within your team of three everyone has a role. The passer will collect balls from the pile (or from errant shots/passes/tackles) and feed passes to the striker that they are teammates with in the box. The passer only passes to the striker on his team. The passer can pass from anywhere, as long as he is outside the 18 (this includes from behind the net). It is the strikers job then to receive passes from his teammate, the passer, and score goals. Every goal scored by the striker is a point for his team. The defenders job is then to ensure that none of the other strikers are able to score, and defend as many balls played in as possible.

The game ends when either all of the balls have been scored, or a certain time limit has been reached. Once the game ends the 1 becomes the 2, the 2 the 3, and the 3 the 1, and the game begins again.

Variations:
Additional strikers/passers/defenders can be added to each team.

The number of balls and winning conditions can be changed to all balls are scored, a certain number of goals, or a time limit.

Goalkeeper numbers can vary, or be replaced by targets.

Touch restrictions can be made to the strikers.

Defenders can be assigned specific strikers to mark.

An additional twist can be that defenders can pass to their strikers in the box, working on the transitional phase.

 

For other great small-sided games like this check out this FREE eBook: 44 Small-Sided Games

Touchdown is a small sided transition game the requires the players to quickly adjust from attacking to defending and vice versa.

In the video clip below Brian McMahon,Palm Beach Atlantic University Head Coach describes his Touchdown Drill and then shows video of the drill being executed. Coach McMahaon’s successful career includes: 2015 NCAA Elite Eight and NCAA South Region Champions, 2014 NCCAA Final Four and NCCAA South Region Champions, 2012 NAIA National Champions, 2012 NSCAA and the NAIA National Coach of the Year, over 300 wins at the collegiate coaching level.

The best teams in the world are dangerous in the attack and well-organized defensively, but they also have the ability to make quick transitions. Top level teams like Atletico Madrid, Dortmund, and Chelsea under Jose Mourinho were known for the way they used transition.

Teaching a team to instinctively transition and react positively to moments of change can be challenging. Coach McMahon introduces the concept of a holistic team approach to executing transitions through innovative, progressive training exercises like the one below. Coach McMahon differentiates his training approach by incorporating an attacking, up-tempo style that has made his team an attacking threat.

For more information about this transition drill and others check out Coach McMahon’s full instruction video here: Small-Sided Transition Games Progressing to Goal

The youtube video below has audio so please make sure that your speakers are turned on.

 

This drill was provided by World Class Coaching

By Arthur Bell

This highly adaptable drill will help to teach your players to play effectively through the central area.

Check out the details below

Setup:
Age and stage appropriate area.
Cones x 8.
Outfield players x 12+.
Balls x 2

Execution:
First player passes long to second player.
Second player receives and lays ball back to the supporting third player.
Third player plays ball in front of the fourth player.
Fourth player moves to the ball and passes to the end player.
Players follow their pass to replace the receiving player

This is repeated on the other side at the same time.

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

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