Football/Soccer Session (Academy Sessions): Drill 5 - In possession & Out of Possession (Start Time: 2026-02-05 19:30:00)
FAW Coach Ed
Thomas Gibb
Description
Organisation (Practice Layout & Transition)
Objective - To develop players first and second reactions during attacking and defensive transitions, improving their ability to recognise cues, make quick decesions, and either progress forward or regain defensive structure.
Learning Outcomes
-Improve first and second reactions when possession changes
-Understand how to create width, depth and support during attacking transitions.
-Recognise cues to decide whether to play forward, retain or recylce.
-Develop quicker defensive reactions when possession is lost.
Organistion-
-Area 40 x 30, divided into two halves with cones
-Players 6v6 and 4 neutral players
-Goals: One full size or small sided goal at each end.
-GK: Plays for team in possession but not involved in build up.
-Starting positions: Each team stays in their own half when in possession.
-Ball supply: Coach serves spare balls from the side to maintain tempo.
-Objective: In possession team keeps the ball and secures territory; out of possession team presses to regain and transition quickly.
-Scroing normal goals. option to award bonus points for scoring within a set time after regaining possessioin.
-Duration 3-4 blocks of 4-6 mins with short rest for coaching interventions
.
Transitions -
When Possession is Won
-Immediate recognition of space to attack if the opposition is unbalanced.
-First pass secured quickly to stabalise the moment.
-Supporting players create width and depth to progress forward.
-If forward play isnt on, retain and recycle to regain team structure.
When Possession is Lost
-First defender applies instant pressure to delay the counter
-Nearest players compact quickly to protect central areas
-Recovery runs made to regain defensive shape
-Players read cues (body shape, numbers around the ball0 to decide whether to press or drop.
Skill and Technical (combined)
-Body shape to receive (open to play forward)
-First touch into space
-Passing quality (weight, timing and accuracy)
-Movement to create angles and support play
-Decision making
-Defensive positioning
-Communication across the team
-Awareness of space and opposition
-Transition reactions (speed of attack/defence switch)
Coaching Points
In possession
-Identifiy oppurtunties to play forward early
-Create width and depth to secure the first pass
-Support underneath the ball to retain possession
Out of possession
-Immeadiate pressure on the ball after losing it
-Compact quickly to protect central areas.
-Anticipate the next pass and adjust body shape.
See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
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45 mins
Adaptations (Progressions & Regressions):
Progressions
To increase the difficulty, reduced the space slightly to create more pressure and force quicker decision making in transition moments. Also introducing a 5 second counter attacking rule where a goal only counts double if scored within that time, encouraging immediate forward intent. Limting players to two touchs in central areas to speed up ball circulation and promote sharper supporting angles. Another progression was to overload the attacking transition by allowing one neutral player to join the team in possession, forcing the defending team to recover quickly and stay compact.
Regression
To make the practise easie, increase the pitch size to provide more time and space on the ball, reducing the pressure during the transitions. remove the time based scoring rule so that players can focus on recogising transition moments without the urgency overwhelming decision making. By allowing unlimted touches to help the less confident players settle in possession and make clear choices. Reducing player numbers to simplify the game and make the transtion rules more ovbious. When defensive orgainstion is struggling, paused the game and walking through pointers rather than when in game play.
Challenges, Conditions or Targets:
Challenged the players to react immediately in transition moments. When winning possession their first thought should be foward and attacking space quickly before the oppostion recover. Encouraging them to recognise when to counter at speed and when to secure the ball if the foward option is not on. Out of possession challenge the nearest player to press instantly while teammates recover centrally and communicate. Asking the team to stay compact and protect the middle rather than chasing the ball individually. Setting a team challenge of scoring within 5 seconds of winning the ball, or losing it to promote urgency and collective reponsibility.