Training Activity - Rotational Possession and End game option

Title: Rotational Possession with active neutrals

Equipment:

·         6 cones

·         6 training bibs (one color)

Setup:  Create a rectangular grid as shown such that the length of the grid is divided on the long sides.  Divide the players into 2 teams.  12 players are shown in this setup.  Position 6 players on the outside of the grid, 3 from each team.  Players in yellow are on opposite sides of the length of the rectangle with one player from each team on one of the end lines.

·         Players positioned on the outside of the grid are coached to move laterally between the cones they are bound to create angles to receive the ball.

Activity:  The activity shown is with a total of 12 players, 6 on each team.  3 players on each team are inside the grid with the other players positioned on the outside of the grid.  Inside the grid, play is always 3v3 with players on each team trying to keep possession, attempting to get 7 passes for a point. 

·         When a player on the inside of the grid passes to a player on the outside of the grid, the player passing the ball sprints to replace the player’s position on the outside of the grid.  The player receiving the ball on the outside of the grid penetrates with the ball into the grid, maintaining 3v3 inside the grid.  Each pass from a central player to an outside player results in rotational replacement of the 2 players.

Progressions:

1.       Begins with the player on the outside penetrating with speed, dribbling into the central grid to connect with team mates.

2.       When a central player passes to an outside player, the player initiating the pass must support the pass and get a quick 1-2 combination from the outside player. 

a.       A central player passes to an outside player.  The central player sprints to get the pass back from the outside player who then returns the ball back to his/her feet.  The players then switch roles.

3.       When a central player passes to an outside player, the players switch roles, but the outside player must pass 1-time to any other player inside the grid.  Therefore, the outside player still comes into the central are, but he/she only gets one touch to play the ball when passed to him/her.

a.       You must coach the supporting players inside the grid to make runs to the player receiving the ball, so that he/she is able to play 1-time and the team can maintain possession.

End Game Activity:

A great final activity that I like to utilize after the rotational possession is the following:

·         Use the same grid but place two small goals in the center back to back.

·         Teams are divided into 2 teams

·         Depending on the number of players, you can have neutrals on the outside, either on the shorter or longer sides

·         Teams can score in either goal once they win possession

o   If the soccer is not good, then put restrictions on making a minimum of 3 passes before a goal, or on a change of possession the team must find a neutral before scoring.