Football/Soccer Session (Difficult): Link-up & support play

Screen 1

Set up

8 v 5 (flex accordingly based on numbers or if wanting to make game easier/harder) + goalkeepers

Pitch 35m x 30m (based on above numbers or again if wanting to make easier/harder). Pitch divided into thirds, with midfield area split into two halves.

Team of 8 must complete 3 passes (clean possession) before they are able to progress play into a zone higher up the pitch + can only score in final third. They are allowed to pass the ball back into previous zones with as few passes as they like. Same rules apply to 5 but they only need to complete two passes in a third.

Each time ball goes out it starts with a goal-kick to the overloaded team.

Coaching points

Encourage support play and not relentless attacking and gambling that results in losing possession.

Encourage the backwards/recycle pass if play is too congested to go forwards (same applies to team mates making supporting runs).

+ General possession play

Progressions

Increased number of passes required

Even up imbalance between teams

Even teams, with floaters supporting possession