Possession to penetrate is a key concept that coaches must teach and drill in order to be successful.
In the video below Paul Jobson, Baylor University Women’s Head Coach and a United States Soccer Federation “A” Licensed Coach, demonstrates a 2 sided 3v1 possession game. The emphasis in this possession game is that players develop a good sense of rhythm when passing and making sure the angles of support are correct. This is a great high-tempo game that all of your players will enjoy.
The drills is set up by marking off two small areas on either side of midfield. (The size of the restricted area can vary depending on the age and skill level of the players)
Coach Jobson divides the two teams into an offensive group and a defense group. Three offensive players on one side of the midfield line and three offensive players on the other side. Two groups of three defensive team members are placed on the side of each playing area.
A coach enters the ball to one group of three offensive players. This signals one of the three defensive players assigned to that playing area to enter the field and defend vs the 3 offensive players. The three offensive players will play with a maximum of two touches. Their goal to execute a minimum of 4 passes then send the ball across to their teammates.
Once the ball is sent across, one of the three defensive players assigned to that playing area enters the field and defends against the three offensive players. The offense’s goal is to pass at least four times and then attempt to send the ball across.
The offense gets a point every time they send the ball across and the defense scores 1 pt if the offense is unsuccessful either by the ball going or if the defense successfully tackles the ball.
This drill is taken from Coach Jobson’s instructional DVD entitled. Training with Low Numbers – Possession to Penetrate & Transition.
Click here to learn more about his DVD
The YouTube video below has audio, so please make sure that your speakers are turned on and that you have access to the site. Note some schools may block access to YouTube.