This book was designed by the development centre coaches in order to develop and inspire

each other. The book is to be used as a resource of good quality practices that follow the
academy “foundation” coaching programme.

The “foundation” coaching programme was designed specifically for the development centres.
The programme was put in place to compliment the 9-11 academy programme and enable a
smooth transition to academy training. Therefore, when designing practices the programme
must be used as a reference and adhered to. The development centres should all follow the
same coaching programme and this book will enable a closer interaction between the coaching
staff of each centre. The sessions enclosed are simply a guide to what has worked for other
coaches in our programme. The book should inspire you to develop further practices and
develop your individual coaching skills. Our role in the academy programme is crucial to the
recruitment of players. It's our job to make sure the training is fun, enjoyable and allows for
personal expression and learning.

The key to producing this standard is not only about designing good practices. A really
important part of our work is how we communicate and inspire the players. When the children
arrive at training they run to the pitch, are happy to be there and desperate to play the game. If
after ten minutes they don’t have the same happiness and joy then it is probably something we
have done. In addition, we must inspire the players with our personality. We must have bundles
of energy, enthusiasm and a smile on our faces. This is so important and an area we can all
improve on

Michael Beale
Youth Development Officer
 DRIBBLING AND RUNNING WITH THE BALL - CIRCUIT
4 Balls
Working at
the same
Time

The players
Have freedom
Of choice

Complete one
Skill / technique
Then out to
a team-mate

Skill on the mannequin /

Slalom in/out of Turn in the gate cone
poles/cones Through the “crazy” cones
 ABC FINISHING DRILL
ROTATION OF PROGRESSIONS
PLAYERS
A = Dribble and
For the next Shoot
Attack B = 1v1 against
player A
Player A
C = 2v1 with
takes the place player A
Of Player B against Player B

Player B takes A = Dribble and Shoot

the place of
Player C A B = 1v1 against Player A

C C = 2v1 choice
Player C calls out
Player C takes team-mates name.
The place of B
Player C
A = Dribble and shoot

B = 1v1 against player A

Actions C = attacks against A+B
A = Dribble and shoot and attempts to score

B = one-two with player A and shoot

C = 1v1 against player B
 2v1 FACING AWAY

React Quickly

Can you get any

Rebounds/

Can you receive

A pass? React
and
force
wide

Be direct

Can you shoot?

Can you pass?

ACTIONS
The coach starts the practice by making a through pass
The nearest attacker races to the ball
The 2nd attacker makes a supporting run
The defender must react, turn and recover to defend a 2v1 situation
The practice continues until the ball leaves play
4 v 4 CONTINUOUS
OVERLOADS

BLUE TEAM V RED TEAM

Which team will

make the overload
count?
1 V GK

1 V 2

3 V 2 BLUE V RED
TEAM TEAM
1 V GK

3 V 4 1 V 2
•Continuous series of overloads
3 V 2
•No player leaves the pitch
3 V 4
•All4players must react
V to the next ball 4
4 V 4
•Play at “match speed”
 CORES
1 – In and out using best foot
2 – In and out using weak foot
3 – In and out using both feet
4 – sole “drag” across
5 – In and out using outside of foot only
6 – in and out using the insides / slalom movements
7 – Outside, Inside, stop

These are basic movements using both feet

There are many progressions / skills

Make the space between each cone realistic

for the age group
 1 v 1 CONTINUOUS
ADVICE FOR PROGRESSION
THE PLAYERS
Encourage the
In Attack Players to defend
Better
“Be Direct”
Introduce the
“Show a skill” Following rule

“Be Creative” “unless you

stop the
In Defence Attacker from
Scoring, you
“Press the ball” Must remain
In defence”
“Stand up”
*The attacker who
Scored will then
“Force away Collect a new ball
From goal” And attack a 2nd
player

Tip ACTIONS Tip

Keep the score. The starting player attacks 1v1 against an opponent of his choice To increase the
This will make Intensity. Add
The game After the 1v1 is completed Additional goals
Realistic and The defender breaks out, collects a ball and then attacks a new opponent and players
competitive
The practice works continuously for a set time period
 PASS AND COMMUNICATE - CIRCUIT
4 Balls
Working at
the same
Time

The players
have freedom
Of choice
ONE-TWO
WITH
THE COACH

PASS
AND
OVERLAP

IMPORTANT REMINDER CHOICE OF ACTION (THEN TAKE YOUR TEAM-MATES POSITION)

THE PLAYER THAT PASSES OUT,
1 – PASS TO YOUR TEAM MATE AND COMMUNICATE “TURN”
GOES OUT
2 – DRIBBLE AND COMMUNICATE FOR A “TAKEOVER” MOVEMENT
 2 V 1 OVERLAP
ROTATION OF
PLAYERS QUESTIONS
FOR THE
If the attackers PLAYERS
Score a goal,
then the defender
must defend for IN ATTACK
the next attack What choices do you
have in possession?
However, if the
attackers fail to Do you overlap
Score. quickly or slowly?

The defender
changes positions IN DEFENCE
with an attacker
of their choice Where do you
Show the attacker?

COMMUNICATION

Between the two

attackers?

Between the keeper

and defender?

ACTIONS
Attacker (1) passes to attacker (2) and makes an overlapping run.
The defender sprints out to defend a 2v1 situation.
The practice continues until the ball leaves play
 3V2 OVERLAP
QUESTIONS
ROTATION OF FOR THE
PLAYERS PLAYERS

If the attackers IN ATTACK

Score a goal, What choices do you
then the defenders have in possession?
must defend for
the next attack Do you overlap
quickly or slowly?
However, if the
attackers fail to Is there Movement
Score. off the ball?

The defenders IN DEFENCE

change positions Where do you
with the attackers Show the attacker?
of their choice
COMMUNICATION
Between the two
attackers?

PROGRESSION Between the keeper

ACTIONS and defenders?
On winning
Possession, allowThe starting attacker has the choice of which team-mate to pass and overlap. Between the two
the defenders to The defenders rush out to defend a 3v2 situation defenders?
Attack and score The practice continues until the ball leaves play
In the middle
gate
 2v1 CHOICE

ROTATION OF
PLAYERS

The defender becomes

the centre player
The next attack.

The two attackers

go to the outside
positions

ACTIONS

The centre player starts the practice by passing to a team-mate of his choice
The player that doesn’t receive the pass, must react quickly and defend
The practice continues in a 2v1 situation until the ball leaves play
 3 Player - Overload Game
Rotation of players
The attacking team
becomes the defenders
for the next game

ACTIONS
This team will come The attacking team complete three attacks
on as the new Firstly they attack 3v1
Attacking team Then turn, receive a pass from the coach and attack 3v2
Then, turn and receive a 3rd ball from the coach and attack all the defenders for a 3v3
Finally the coach passes to the defenders and now it’s a normal 3v3 game
 3 v 2 – 6 ATTACK GAME
PROGRESSION

NOW PLAY
EACH TEAM CONTINUOUSLY
HAS A TURN
AS THE THE CENTRAL TEAM
ATTACKING ATTACKS ONE OF
TEAM THE GOALS

IF SUCCESSFUL,
THEN THEY RECEIVE
MAKE IT A NEW BALL
COMPETITIVE FROM THE COACH
AND ATTACK THE
OPPOSITE END

WHICH TEAM HOWEVER, IF THEY

CAN SCORE FAIL TO SCORE
THE MOST THEN THEY MUST
GOALS? SWITCH POSTIONS
ACTIONS WITH THE
Three teams of three players DEFENDING TEAM
The two defending teams must number themselves 1 to 3
Each defender must take a turn as the goalkeeper PLAY NON-STOP
The attacking team have 6 attacks (three at each goal) FOR A SET TIME
How many times do they make their 3v 2 overload count? PERIOD
 1 V 1 GAMES

SET UP / RULES
The defender passes the ball across the box and the
Box and then pressures the attacker SET UP / RULES
The defender passes to the attackers
The game continues in a 1v1 situation A 1v1 game commences
The attacker must get into the end zone before shooting
Progression
Have two games going across each other
 RUNNING WITH THE BALL

SET UP / RULES
Two balls working at the same time
The players must dribble down the sides and then pass across to the opposite group
PASSING AND MOVING TO SCORE

SET UP / RULES
The midfielder must pass into the forward
The forward receives the pass on his back foot and passes to the overlapping midfielder
The midfielder then shoots at goal
For the next attack, the midfielder becomes the forward.
Progression
1 - Encourage the forward to look for rebounds after passing to the midfielder
2 – encourage the midfielder to make a “disguised” reverse pass back to the forward
 TURNING INTO SPACE

SET UP / RULES
Two groups of players
One group work inside the area
The other group work around the outside
The inside group must continually receive passes from the outside players
The players must receive the ball on their back foot and then dribble to pass out to a different player
Progression
1 – the outside players must also receive on their back foot and dribble to turn in their gate before passing into the middle
2 – the outside players must now receive on the back foot, turn and dribble through their gate and back through a different gate
 BUILD UP AND FINISHING

work both sides

SET UP / RULES
Two groups – midfielders and wide players / forwards
Rotate the groups after a set time period
1 – midfielder into forward who turns and passes down the line for the wide player to overlap and cross into the box
2 – midfielders pass into the wide player who lays the ball down the line for the forward to cross into the box
3 – midfielders into the forward who sets back to the midfielder, the full back then receives a pass into space
* After being a wide player, become the forward
PLAY OUT , GO OUT

SET UP / RULES
Two teams
3v3 in the middle
Simple rules, play out to a team-mate and go out
The team-mate then dribbles into the pitch
DRIBBLE AND CHANGE DIRECTION

SET UP / RULES
Two balls working at the same time
The players must go to the furthest flags and make a turn
Immediately the players go back to the nearest flags and make a 2nd turn
The players then dribble at top speed through to the end cones
 DRIBBLING, SKILLS AND TURNS
1 2

4 3

SET UP / RULES
The players constantly dribble into the cones and make various turns (drag back, outside hook etc)
This can be progressed to allow the players to move to different corners (drop shoulder and go right )
Once this movement is in place, each corner could be for a different skill
1 – step-over go right, 2 – drag across body, 3 – drop shoulder, 4 – players choice
 1V1 / 2V1 ATTACK AND DEFEND

SET UP / RULES
Player A passes out to player B and then races to defend a 1v1 situation
Once this is completed, player C dribbles into the pitch to make a 2v1 with player B against player A
Progression
1- player C makes a 2v1 with player A against player B
2 – players A and B defend 2v1 against player C
 SHOOT, ONE-TWO SHOOT

SET UP / RULES
Two groups of players
The blue group dribble, perform a skill and then shoot
Immediately the red player passes into the blue player and then runs to receive a return pass
The red player then shoots at goal
The two players now switch positions
 D. WILLARD

SET UP / RULES
Two teams of players
Each team is numbered 1-4
On the coaches call, the players called must race onto the pitch
If the coach calls 2 numbers then the game would be 2v2 etc
Progression
No player leaves the pitch until all players are in the game
Example – 3 (1v1) 4,2 (would make game 3v3) 1 (4v4) now if your number is called you would leave the game.
The above rule, reduces the number of players and enable a rest period but, does not affect the game continually taking place
PASS, HEAD, VOLLEY TECHNIQUE

SET UP / RULES
Two groups
One group in the middle
One group on the outside
The outside players serve the ball to the inside players who must control and pass back
The outside players must vary the service (pass, bounce, aerial, over head, to left, to right)
The inside player must be on their toes and react to the service, can you return on the 2nd touch?
 RUNNING TO SCORE

SET UP / RULES
Two balls working at the same time
1 – dribble and shoot
2 – dribble and complete skill before shooting
3 – dribble and on coaches whistle, complete turn and shoot at own goal
4 – dribble diagonally and meet the opposite player in the middle, go around the player and shoot at own goal
 4 V 2 CONTINUOUS KEEPAWAY

SET UP / RULES
Three teams
One team start in the middle, work as defenders and number themselves 1-4
The other teams go into the end zones
To start, the coach passes into one of the end zones. One of the red players goes to pressure the ball
The passing team must attempt to pass across to the opposite side
Can the three resting defenders block the through pass?
A progression would be to add a 2nd pressing defender to make a 4v2 in the end zones
 SAQ - GAME CROSSOVER

SET UP / RULES
Two teams
The red team are split into two teams and so are the blue team
This allows for two games to work at the same time.
On each pitch, the players are numbered 1-4
On the coaches shout, the players called must leave their pitch and complete a SAQ movement before joining the opposite game
 2V1 CONTINUOUS

SET UP / RULES
Nominate four defenders
The defenders are only allowed
To defend in one zone

To start, one attacker passes to

The other one. Immediately the
Defender comes forward to
Defend a 2v1 in their zone

Can the attackers get into the next

Zone?

If successful the next defender

Comes forward for a 2v1

Can the attackers get into the final

Scoring zone?

Progression
If taken on,
Allow the 1st defender to turn and
Sprint back into the scoring
Zone to defend
 PASS OR DRIBBLE TO SCORE

SET UP / RULES
Two teams
Two ways of scoring a goal
1 – pass through the large gate to a team mate
2 – dribble through the small gate
The coach can add extra point for pass or dribble depending on what they are looking for in the practice, (passing or dribbling)
 2V1 – WHO DO I HELP?

SET UP / RULES
Groups of three players
The defending team nominate a goalkeeper
On the coaches whistle, the two defenders dribble and pass to two of the attackers
Immediately we have two 1v1 situations. The attacker not receiving a pass must quickly make a decision of who to support
The spare attacking now makes a supporting run to make a 2v1 situation with one of his team-mate
Progression – if one game is completed but the other ball is still in play, all players can support this ball
 LOSE THE DEFENDER
Be clever, use
disguise and lose
the defender

SET UP / RULES
One player starts with the ball and becomes the attacker
The attacker must attempt to get to one of the outside cones before the defender
Rotate for the next game
FOUR GOAL – 10 ATTACKS

Set up/rules
two teams of four players
one team work as the attackers
one team split into two pairs and work as the defenders
the pitch is cut into two attacking zones that have two mini target goals
The attacking team has 10 consecutive attacks [5 at each end].
The aim is to try and score as many goal as possible against the two defenders
after each attack, the players turn and receive a new ball from the coach
Once the ten attacks are complete. The score is counted and the roles are reversed
4 V 4 – FOUR GOAL GAME

Set up / rules

two teams of four players

four mini goals
each team defend two goals and attack two goals
the game is played for a set time period
 TWO GOAL – 10 ATTACKS

Set up/rules
two teams of four players
two keepers
one team work as the attackers
one team split into two pairs and work as the defenders
the pitch is cut into two attacking zones
The attacking team has 10 consecutive attacks [5 at each end]. The aim is to try and score as many goals
as possible against the two defenders
after each attack, the players turn and receive a new ball from the coach
Once the ten attacks are complete. The score is counted and the roles are reversed
 4 V 4 - ROLE REVERSAL GAME

Set up / rules

two teams of four players

each team number themselves 1 to 4
when defending, the players each take a turn to become the goalkeeper
the attacking team receive a ball from the coach and attempt to build up and score in a 4v3 (+1) situation
if the attacking team score, then they turn and receive a new ball from the coach
if the attacking team fail to score then the defending team break out to receive a
pass from the coach and the roles are reversed
 2 V 2 V 2 V 2 GAME

SET UP/ RULES

two keepers
eight players that are split into four teams of two players
the game is played for a set time period
the teams can score in any of the goals
This game attempts to create a school playground where all players are actively involved in both attack and defence.
On the coaches’ call, two teams immediately join together and the game continues in a
4v4 situation, an example of a call would be “red and yellow”. Both these teams would now join forces.
The coach can also overload the game against one team, for example “red, blue and yellow”
-In all games the teams can score in both goals
 ONE BIG V TWO SMALL

Set up / rules
-two teams of four players
-one keeper
-one normal goal
-two mini goals
-one team attacks the normal goal
-one team attacks the two mini goals
-the game is played in two half’s
-each team has one half at attacking the normal goal and one half attacking the mini goals
 1V1 CONTINUOUS

Set up / rules
two teams of four players
one keeper
a large number of footballs
the game is played continuously for a set time period or until a set number of goals is scored
the players have a turn at attacking in a 1v1 situation and then immediately defending a 1v1 situation
 2V2 CONTINUOUS

Set up / rules

two teams of four players

each team is divided into two groups of two players
one keeper
a large number of footballs
the game is played continuously for a set time period or until a set number of goals is scored
the pairs of players have turns at attacking in a 2v2 situation and then immediately defending a 2v2 situation
 THROW TO PASS, HEAD TO SCORE

Set up / rules
two teams of four players
the game is played by throwing and catching the ball
the player in possession cannot move with the ball
this encourages the team mates to make movements off the ball
the player in possession must not have the ball in their hands for longer than 3 seconds
this encourages quick passing and decision making
a goal is scored by heading a thrown pass into the goal
a progression would be to allow players to score by volleying a thrown pass into the goal
 TWO GOAL AND END ZONE

Set up/ rules

Two teams of four players
This game is a combination of two games. The two goal and the end zone games
Each team attacks one goal and one end zone
The coach calls out the name of the game to be played
The players must react to the coaches’ call in order to change games quickly and take up any advantages.
 FOUR GOAL AND TWO GOAL

Set up/ rules

Two teams of four players
This game is a combination of two games. The two goal and the four goal games
Each team attacks one normal goal and two mini goals
The coach calls out the name of the game to be played
The players must react to the coaches’ call in order to change games quickly and take up any advantages
 FOUR GOAL, TWO GOAL, END ZONE, HALF FIELD

Set up/ rules

Two teams of four players
This game is a combination of four games. The two goal, the end zone, the four goal and half field possession games
The coach calls out the name of the game to be played
The players must react to the coaches’ call in order to change games quickly and take up any advantages.
 THREE GAMES IN ONE

Set up / rules
Two teams of four players
The teams have three ways of scoring
1.one point is awarded for each time a player dribbles through the attacking gate and crosses the ball
2.two points are awarded for each set of 6 consecutive passes
3.three points are awarded for scoring a goal past the keepers
 FOUR GOAL, HALF FIELD AND END ZONE

Set up/ rules

Two teams of four players
This game is a combination of three games. the end zone, the four goal and half field possession games
The coach calls out the name of the game to be played
The players must react to the coaches’ call in order to change games quickly and take up any advantages
 ULTIMATE FOUR V FOUR CHALLENGE

Set up / rules
-two teams of four players
-this game is a combination of five 4v4 games
1.half field possession (1 point for getting all four players into your half)
2.possession game (1 point for making 6 consecutive passes)
3.end zone game (1 point for stopping the ball inside your opponents end zone)
4.4 goal game (1 point for scoring in your opponents mini goals)
5.2 goal game (1 point for scoring in your opponents goal)
-Each game is played for 4 minutes in the above order. The players rest for 1 minute between games.
-Once all five games have been played, the game then goes into “random mode” for a further ten minutes.
-The coach now calls the game to be played. The players must react quickly to the coaches’ call and play the new game
-Each game is scored in different ways (see the brackets above)
 4V4 BUILD UP TO SCORE

Set up/ rules

two teams of four players
one keeper
one team work as the attackers
one team work as the defenders
the game is played for four balls and then the roles are reversed
to start, the attackers spread out across the pitch whilst only one defender starts the game.
The attacking team receives a pass from the coach and attempt to build up and score in a 4v1 situation.
After each ball is played, a new defender enters the pitch. Therefore the attacking team has four attacks (4v1, 4v2, 4v3, 4v4)
Each time the attackers score, they are awarded a point, however each time they fail to score the defenders are rewarded with a point.
The roles are reversed after all four balls have been played
 4V4 OVERLOAD DEFENDING

Set up / rules
two teams of four players
one team work as defenders
one team work as attackers
the game lasts for four attacks
the defending team number themselves 1 to 4 and each take a turn as goalkeeper
the defending team score a point for each time they stop the attackers scoring
the attacking team score a point for each goal scored

To start the game, one attacking player dribbles into the pitch and attempts to score in a 1v3 situation.
Once this ball has been played a new attacker dribbles into the pitch and attempts to combine with his team mate
in a 2v3 situation. The game continues until all attackers are on the pitch and the game is a 4v3 (+1) situation
 CONTINUOUS 2V1 GAME

SET UP/RULES
two teams of four players
two keepers
each team defends one goal
two players start on the pitch
the blue team start first and one player must dribble onto the pitch to make a 2v1 situation
immediately after this ball is played, one of the blue players leaves the pitch
now one of the red players dribbles onto the pitch to make a 2v1 situation
the game works continuously for a set time period
 4V4V4 TEAM 1V1 BATTLES

Set up / rules
three teams of four players
one team work as attackers, one as defenders and one as goalkeepers
16 balls are needed for this game
the attacking players wait for the coaches whistle, then attempt to score in a 1v1 situation
once the ball is played, the attacking player then goes to the next station on their left and waits for the coaches whistle to attack again
therefore each attacking player has four 1v1 situations
once all the balls have been played, the coach the counts the total number of goals scored by all four attackers
the roles are then reversed with the new attacking team attempting to beat the previous teams score
TWO GOAL GAME – SCORE IN THE END ZONE

Set up / rules
two teams of four players
the pitch has two end zones and two empty goals
a goal can only be scored from inside the end zones
if ball leaves play, the coach has a few re-start options

1 –the coach passes a new ball onto the pitch

2 –the players take a roll in
3 –the players take a throw in
4 –the players make a pass onto the pitch
5 – the players dribble onto the pitch
 TWO GOAL GAME – ROTATE POSITIONS

Set up / rules

two teams of four players

two keepers
no offside
The game is played for 15 minutes. This is broken down into 4x3 minute periods with one minute breaks in between.
After each 3 minute period the players rotate to the next position on their right. This rule will see the players playing in all four positions of the
diamond [top, bottom, left and right] also the players will also come up against a different opponent in each period of the game
FOUR GOAL GAME – MUST SCORE IN EACH GOAL

Set up / rules
two teams of four players
four keepers
no offside
The aim for both teams is to score in all four goals.
The team to complete this task first is declared the winners
 TRIANGLE GOAL

Set up / rules

Two teams of four players

Four mini goals
Three flags to make a triangle goal
One team is defending the triangle goal and one team is defending the four mini goals.
The team that is defending the triangle goal must nominate a goalkeeper whilst the other three players try to pressure and win the ball.
The game is played for two periods. The roles are reversed for the second period
 POSSESSION - ADD ONE

Set up / rules
two teams of four players
one team work as the passing team
one team work as the defending team
the passing team spread out into the 15 x 15 yard area and begin the game by playing 4v1
After 30 seconds, an extra defender is added to make the game 4v2, 4v3, 4v4 etc
the game is played for 2 ½ minutes
the passing team must count the number of successful passes that they make
the teams rotate roles for the next game and the new passing team tries to beat the number of passes made by their opponents
 OVERLOAD GAME CONTINUOUS
Once all the players are on the pitch,
the game continues for a set time period.
The next game starts with the
Blue team attacking first

Red V Blue
1 v Gk
1 v 2
3 v 2
3 v 4
4 v 4

Set up / rules
two teams of four players
two goalkeepers
To start the game, the first player on the red team has three touches to score against the blue goalkeeper. Immediately after this ball has been played,
two blue team players enter the pitch and make a 2v1 situation against the red player. The game continues until all the players are on the pitch.
The series of attacks is as follows
 GATES GAME

Set up/rules

two teams of four players

Gates are placed around the pitch

the player in possession must dribble through a gate to score

1. the player in possession must make a pass through the gate to a team mate
2. the player in possession can use both of the choices above
 FREE YOUR TEAM MATE

Set up/rules
Two teams of four players
Each team has one player on the pitch and three players on the outside
To start, the coach passes a ball into the pitch. the two players compete for possession
the player who wins the ball attempts to pass out to a team mate
if successful, the team mate enters the pitch and makes a 2v1
the winning team is the one that has all four players on the pitch and completes 6 consecutive passes
 HALF FIELD POSSESSION

Set up/rules

two teams of four players

the pitch is cut into two half’s , one team in each
To start, the coach passes into one of the teams, and calls for a player to go into that half and defend
If the team manages to make five passes, the coach calls for another player to go and defend in a 4v2
If the ball is dispossessed then the game transfers to the opposite half and the roles are reversed
The player guilty of losing possession must now run and defend in the other half
The winning team is the one that has all four of their opponents in their half and manages to make 5 passes.
 MULTI BALL GAME

Set up/rules
two teams of four players
two keepers
each team has two balls
to start, the coach blows the whistle and both teams enter the pitch
each team has two balls to attack with but must also defend two balls
the game continues until all four balls have left the pitch
the coach then continues the game for a further five balls which are played one at a time
once all five balls have been played, the coach counts the goals scored and declares the winning team

“Stick with this game. The players will soon learn to communicate as to who should defend and who should attack..
The players will also learn that they must react to the next ball and quickly support their team mates”
 MULTI-GOAL GAME

Set up/rules
two teams of four players
four mini target goals
a number of footballs in the centre of the pitch
one team work as the attackers
one team work as the defenders
the attacking team attempt to score as many goals as possible until all the balls have been played
the defending team must try to stop the attacking team
To start, the attacking players have a ball each and must try to score in the mini goals.
Once the ball has been played the attacking player must quickly race back to the centre and retrieve a new ball and attack again.
The game will start with four 1v1 situations but, as the balls decrease it will become a variety of 2v1, 2v2, 3v2’s etc
Once the last ball has been played, the coach counts the goals scored and the roles are reversed for the next game
 END ZONE GAME

Set up/rules

two teams of four players

the aim of this game is to dribble and stop the ball in the end zone
the team that scores the goal, now turns and attacks the opposite end zone
if one team is dominating the game then, the rule above can be removed enabling the opposite team to attack
 DIRECTIONAL GAME

Set up/rules
two teams of four players
four mini goals
one team attack the goals across the width of the pitch
one team attack the goals down the length of the pitch
the game is played for a set period of time
if a ball is scored or leaves play, the coach passes a new ball onto the pitch
 SWITCH PLAY – ROLE REVERSAL GAME

Set up/rules
two teams of four players
two full size goals
one team acts works as defenders and has two keepers and two defenders
one team works as the attackers and spread out to attack
To start, the coach passes into the four attackers who attempt to score in one of goals
If they are successful, they receive a new ball from the coach and attack again
If the defenders manage to win the ball or stop the attackers scoring then, the roles are reversed
The defenders now race out to receive a ball from the coach and the attackers drop back to defend
The game continues for a set time period
 GATE GAME

SET UP / RULES
The set up allows for a number of practices within the same set up
Two groups of players
1 – one ball each, who can dribble through the most cones in 30 seconds
2 – one ball each, who can make the most turns in the gates in 30 seconds
3 – ball between two, which pair can make the most passes through the gates in 30 seconds
4 – ball between two, one player in the gate, one dribble dribbles and constantly makes one-two passes
5 – ball between two, pass to player in the gate and ask him to “turn out”, the player dribbles away and you take his place
6 – ball between two, dribble and complete a skill on the players in the gates (passive defending)
7 – now a choice of “turn out” or “one-two” or “skill”. The players must communicate
SHIELDING / HOLD OFF DOMINO

SET UP / RULES
The players collect a ball and put it on their cone
One player works as the starting defender
On the coaches whistle, the defender attempts to knock a ball off the cone
The players must attempt to shield their ball from the defender
If the defender is successful in knocking the ball off the cone, then the roles are reversed
The game is played for a set time, whoever is defending when the time elapses is the loser!
WHEN TO DRIBBLE, WHEN TO PASS

SET UP / RULES
Three balls working
Six stations
Two defenders are nominated and go into the middle of the pitch holding a bib
The players must attempt to dribble across the area and out to a team-mate without being tackled
The players can use the coach/free player to play one-twos or overlaps in order not to be tackled
If you are tackled or make a bad pass, quickly take the bib from the closest defender
The roles are now reversed.
 CONTINUOUS 1V1 – 2 GOALS

SET UP / RULES
This game works continuously
The middle player attacks the end zone and has a 1v1 situation
Immediately after this attack, the defender receives a pass from the coach and then attacks 1v1 at the opposite end
The game is played for a set time. The players must count how many goals they have scored
Player rotation
Defend 1v1, attack 1v1 and then rest until your next go
WIN BALL AND KEEP POSSESSION

SET UP / RULES
9 players (can be modified for bigger or smaller groups)
Four players work inside the area with a ball
They are joined by one defender
The other four players surround the outside of the area
The defender attempts to tackle one of the attacking players
Once the defender wins possession, they must pass out to a resting player
The resting player and defender now rotate positions
The player who was tackled is the new defender.
 CONTINUOUS 1V1

SET UP / RULES
Ten players
Two in each corner and two in the middle as defenders
On the coaches whistle, the 1st player in each gate must attempt to dribble across to the opposite side
The two defenders must work alone and attempt to tackle one of the dribbling players
If successful, the defender changes position with the dribbling player
1 V 2 / 2V1 GAME

SET UP / RULES
Two teams
The blue team attack 1 v 2 and defend 1 v 2
The red team defend 2 v 1 and attack 2 v 1
The game works continuously for a set time period
The roles are reversed for the next game
3 V 2 – SUPPORT THE FORWARD PASS

SET UP / RULES
Five stations
The players spend 3 minutes at each station and then move to the next one on the right
To start, the blue keeper passes into the centre forward.
Two blue midfielders make supporting runs to receive and the red midfielder attempts to get back
The red defender must allow the blue centre forward to have one “free” touch before attempting to tackle
The attack continues as a 3v2 game until the ball leaves play
 3 V 2 COUNTER

SET UP / RULES
Two teams
Each team nominate a forward that continually plays the game
The other players must get themselves into pairs
The red team dribble forward and combine with their forward to make a 3v2 situation in the attacking zone
Immediately two new red players come into the defending zone
Once the red teams attack is completed, the game is reversed and the two blue defenders dribble forward for a 3v2
 SPEED REACTION FINISHING

The two players pass the ball The two players pass the ball
On the coaches call of “left” or “right” On the coaches call of “left” or “right”
The players must sprint to receive the keepers pass and The players must sprint to receive the keepers pass and
Shoot 1st time Then turn to dribble and shoot at the opposite goal

The two players pass the ball

The two players pass their ball into space On the coaches whistle
Immediately they turn and sprint to the other players ball The player in possession becomes the attacker
And shoot 1st time This player must use disguise to lose the defender and
score in either goal
CONTINUOUS HEADING GAME

SET UP / RULES

The coach constantly serves balls for the players to make headers / volleys / first time shots
The players must always react after their turn and become the next goalkeeper
The game is played until one team has scored five goals