This is practice 9 of our Ball Mastery Collection and adds an element of competition to player’s dribbling technique, with 2 and then 4 players competing to reach and dribble the ball into specific zones.
Attacking Emphasis75%75%
Defending Emphasis25%25%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Key Player Challenge
Players must race to the ball and dribble into a specific area under pressure. To win the challenge players must dribble 2 balls into different areas.
Progression 1: Challenge both sides – Only older players
We can now set 2 pairs off at same time with the same challenge, now with the added obstacle of players from the opposite end trying to dribble into the same areas. This should only be applied to older age groups, with the risk of collision with yonger players playing with their head down.
This Ball Mastery practice is focused on dribbling with players challenged to improve their technique within competition. With 2 players with a ball each on opposite facing cones, they must dribble around each of these at an angle and to run the ball through 2 poles. Pair players based on their age and ability and set competition, with the winner gaining a point for their team.
Attacking Emphasis80%80%
Defending Emphasis20%20%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Progression 1
Progress the practice, by introducing 2 mini goals for individuals to score into, with every player scoring a point for a goal, with the fastest gaining a 2nd point.
Key Coaching Points
Technical| Ability to dribble around cones, changing direction
Physical| Balance is crucial at this age, especially with youngest players
Technical| Dribbling at pace with ball under control
Q&A
How do specific players respond to competition?
Are players paired up correctly ensuring they are motivated?
20 x 20 yard for younger age groups, increasing in size with age increase no bigger than 30 x 30. Four players to keep possession on outside of square with two Floaters either end & 1-2 placed centrally, with four Yellows central trying to regain possession. When possession regained Yellows move to outside, Blues become central defending players.
Progression 1
Once defenders have gained possession, then now become outside players and switch play.
Progression 2
1 player can step inside off the line, encouraging outside floater to find angles.
Progression 3
Central Floater can rotate with outside floater to encourage fluid movement.
Progression 4
Central Floater can rotate with outside floater to encourage fluid movement.
Progression 5
Central Floater can rotate with outside floater to encourage fluid movement.
Key Coaching Points
Players love this possession practice, yet must be disciplined to ensure practice runs smoothly. Once possession lost, there is no immediate regain, players must get to the inside and regain team must move to outside before possession contested.
SPACE | Ensure practice area is appropriate for age group, may need to add 5 yard outside zone for younger players
TIME | Players have 2 seconds in transition to get inside and outside, change groups every 2-3 minutes, go through groups twice.
EQUIPMENT | Need to have a supply of balls with transition regular. 2/3 sets of bibs (4) and flat discs to ensure minimum disruption to session. Ability to finish chances.
PLAYER | May want to designate Floater players as those identified as needing to improve in possession. Be creative with numbers 5 v 5 + 2 Floaters?
Q&A
Where is the best position to support my teammate?
How can I bring my teammates into play better?
Who are defenders staying with when overloaded? What does this mean?
This Soccer Drill begins with the coach playing the ball into an attacking player who attacks a single defender and goal, with the support of a teammate (2 v 1 outfield). If the attacking team scores, an extra player joins in creating a 3 v 1.
If defenders don’t concede they get an extra defender (2 v 2). There cannot be an overload of more than 2 players throughout the soccer practice; rotate player roles.
Attacking Emphasis75%75%
Defending Emphasis34%34%
Age Group
Number of Players
Minutes
Key Coach Points 1: Using the 2 v 1 overload effectively
Players should be focused on attacking at pace, using the full width of the pitch and timing forward runs beyond the single defender with offside rules in place. Their first touch should be with intent with a heavy touch to attract the defender to engage leaving space in behind; be clinical in their finishing.
Reward: Extra player added to create 2 player overload
If team scores we add an extra attacker creating a 3 v 1. If they don’t score then we introduce an additional defender balancing to a 2 v 2. think about balancing this for each task. For example add a time constraint, if team does not score in 5 seconds then add an additional defender. Or have a passing line where the penetration pass must be played before a certain point and observe the impact this has on defenders.
Game Rules: Continue overloading based on success
Observe the differences between the 2 v 1 overload and a 3 v 2 or 4 v 3 and adapt the practice as a result. With a clearer advantage in the 2 v 1 and 3 v 2 overload situations we have discussed possible constraints. When it is more balanced with a 4 v 3 for example, we can tweak individual challenges. Ideas could be only 2 players can score in a 4 v 3 attacking overload, or 2 players play on one touch, be creative with your ideas and how you apply these.
Progression 1: Striker must play in attacking half
We can start to add more realism to the practice by restricting our strikers movement and having a focus point for our possession players. No longer a typical counter attack, this attacking situation focuses more on supporting possession from behind the ball and so you must address the differences betwen support beyond and support in front here.
Progression 5
We now add a double reward for successes of teams. Not only do they gain a player for successfully attacking or defending the goal, but the opposition must also lose a player. We always maintain a maximum of a 2 player overload, allowing defenders and attackers to gain relative success. Players will need to self manage, not wanting to be withdrawn from the pitch. This therefore has a huge social and psychological influence on players. Observe this and speak to players to improve their approach to this change when possible.
Key Coaching Points
Tactical – Timing of forward runs to support
Technical – Decision of passer to pass or dribble
Psychological – Recognition of space with overload v balanced numbers
Q&A
Where is the best position to support my teammate?
How can I bring my teammates into play better?
Who are defenders staying with when overloaded? What does this mean?
