Team Passing Battle

Dimensions: Set up two evenly sided areas based on the number of players you have per team. 25 x 40 yards with one line down the middle creating two 20 x 25 yard squares is a good starting place. Larger area will offer more chance of success. Split the players into two teams, one in each half of the field.

How to: One team starts with the ball and must attempt to make 5 passes, every 5 passes in their own area equals one point. The opposing team are allowed to send in 2 players to attempt to win the ball back. If they win the ball back they must quickly switch the play back to their half and begin making passes of their own to score points. The other team can then send two players in to try and win the ball back for their team. First team to 5 points wins. (Adjust the number of defenders in the opposing area to increase or decrease the difficulty level)

Coaching Points: Defenders will work to make the space more compact, use the available space to allow more time on the ball to keep possession. Try to make the field as big as you can when you have the ball.

Support the player in possession to allow them to find a simple pass. Work hard off the ball to create space and be available to receive the ball and relieve pressure on your team mate.

Progressions: Add a target player to the opposite end of the field. After 4 passes you must attempt to play the ball through or over the opposing team and connect with your target man, this scores one point. The target man then plays the ball back in to the other team and the game continues.

4 Goal Chaos

Passing To Targets

Dimensions: 35 x 30 yard field played Length ways. Each end has a neutral Target Man behind the end line. Adjust dimensions based on number of players. Keeping things small sided here is preferable. Set up more fields to accommodate more players.

How to: Create even teams on the field (note in the example one team is playing numbers down, this is fine to begin with as the purpose of the drill is to use possession well by moving the ball to a destination) Coach chooses a team to start in possession. Points are scored by moving the ball down the field and passing to a target man. On scoring a point the target man passes the ball back into the team in possession, they must now try to score a point at the other end. If possession is lost the other team attempt to score points.

The target men are neutral and cannot be tackled. You can pass back to the same target man but you can only score one point per time (two passes to the same target man in a row will only count for one point)

Coaching Points: Make yourself available for a pass, allow the target man a short option, think about receiving the ball on the half turn, a positive move like this will allow you to make a pass down field if the option is available or if you have immediate pressure, you can still shield the ball and play back to the target man if necessary.

Be positive, look for pockets of space to move in to, be available for a pass whenever you can.

Be proactive, even if you aren’t directly involved in the point scoring pass, read play and make an early run, you might be able to give the target man an early option to pass the ball back in and set your team off on the attack again.

Allow yourself to be comfortable in possession of the ball; try to pick out clever passes in behind players whilst still being wary not to over complicate situations unnecessarily

This is a possession game, be comfortable passing the ball around, if you get the ball moving enough, scoring opportunities won’t be far away!

Through Ball Scrimmage

Dimensions:40 x 30 yard field played width ways. Two even teams.

How to: Free play, game-like scenario, each team has a line to defend, to score a point a through ball must be played past opponents line and collected by a team mate.

Coach re starts the game by throwing the ball into space.

Each teams’ End line works like an offside line (calls are made by the coach) players must hold/time their run in order to win a point.

Coaching Points: Use the width of the field to find opportunities, as the player with the ball, look for gaps to play the ball into. Look for players running into good positions. Play the ball through the defensive line for your team mate to run onto.

Allow the game to be the teacher as much as possible. Players will learn to realise what is working well for them and what is holding them back. Be sure to draw attention to good play.