The aim of the drill is to work on helping your team keep possession all over the field. The game starts with normal rules, no limitations on touches, with both teams simply trying to score. The game changes when the coach shouts the following:
1. Possession - Players must keep possession in their own half, which of course means they are not allowed to score. If a team wins the ball, they must take the ball to their own half and try and keep it.
2. Normal - Teams return to a normal game and are allowed to score.
3. Barca - Similar to possession, but this time players must attempt to keep the ball in the other teams half, but they are not allowed to score. If the other team wins the ball they must get the ball into their opponent's half and keep it there.
This drill teaches players how to keep the ball regardless of where it is on the pitch. While playing in their own half, defenders are taught how to keep the ball at the back and not panic, while attackers learn how to press high up the field.
While keeping the ball in the opposite half, players can learn how to break down stubborn defences.
You can add in a number of progressions to this drill such as players can only take one touch when playing in their own half. Timing can also be added to the drill, with teams needing to score within ten seconds of winning the ball, or defences must win the ball back within ten seconds of losing it.
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