Football/Soccer Session (Beginner): Transitional Play #2 (Play-Practice-Play)

Box-on-Box Possession (35 mins)

Box-on-Box Possession (Coaching Transitonal Play)

Activity

Divide players into two teams with equal numbers. Each team tries to possess the ball from the opponents in their grid. Adjust spacing for age/ability of players. Defending team must leave at least one target player for their team to pass the ball to once it is won. Coach serves a new ball into the attacking team to keep the game flowing. Don't have players chase and shag until all soccer balls have been played.

Attacking Transition Coaching Points

1. Quickly looking to move the ball into open space behind the defender(s)

2. Do you pass or dribble?

3. Keep your head up and have good vision on the field.

4. Use your voice to help direct the team.

5. Move your feet (Receive-Pass-Move)

Defending Transition Coaching Points

1. As soon as the ball is lost, how quickly can one player apply pressure? What about your angle to the goal you are defending? How is your recovery run?

2. When playing 2v2, how quicklly is the 2nd defender dropping behind the ball to provide cover

3. When playing 3v3, hjow quickly is the 3rd defending dropping in a providing balance

4. Is the entire team staying compact, or are they still stretched?

Variations:

1. Game is played where every five passess equals a point

2. One defender enters the opponent's grid until the ball is won

3. Add an additional defender every five passess until ball is won

4. A ball that is won can be passed across to waiting target player as a "free" service (less challenging) or during the run the of play (more challenging)