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1 v 1 Passing Grid

The Object of this drill is to retain the ball whilst moving it from end to end. The Setup requires 6 grids and 3 groups of 4 player arranged as the diagram shows. In each central grid there is an attacker marked by a defender. The end grids contain neutral players as a passing option. The attackers start with the ball and work together to create passing channels to manover the ball towards the opposite end. When the defenders win the ball they immediatly become the attackers. The neutral players are always a passing option to the current attackers

1 v 1 skills

3 vs 2 - Two channels

2 players in one channel attack 1 defender whilst another attacker and defender wait in the other channel. The 2 attackers in the first channel play a 2 vs 1, trying to score a goal. However the 2nd defender can choose to come across and help defend making it a 2 vs 2 . Having drawn both defenders across into one channel the 2 attackers may choose to use the other channel and exploit the open space or continue to attack without using the unmarked player.

1 v 1 skills

Defensive Unit Work

This drill encourages players to work together in a Defensive unit and is especially relevant for midfield players. Set up 3 areas in a line: 5 x 5 yards, 20 x 5 yards and another 5 x 5 yards Opposite this, within shooting distance (about 15 yards), set up 4 goal areas in a line, marked by cones. The 2 inside goals will be used for the first game and then just the 2 outside goals will be used for the second game. Have 1 player restricted to each of the 5 x 5 areas, and 2 players in the 20 x 5 area. The goal of these players is to pass amongst themselves to score (firstly in the goals marked "1" and then in the goals marked "2"). Against them will be 4 defenders who will need to work together to shut down these shooting opportunities, starting midway between the boxes and the goals. The coach plays the ball to the Attackers, and at this time the Defenders will approach the Attackers. They cannot travel into the boxes but will use angles to try to stop a quick pass and shoot option.

Defending

Early Cross

Set out 5 x 15 yard channels in each corner of the area as shown in the diagram. Station one player in each channel. Play 2 v 2 in central area. The goalkeeper serves the ball to one of his two teammates in the central area. The goal is to get the ball to either of your teams players stationed in a channel. This player delivers a crossed ball into the attacking area. The two attacking players stagger their runs into the near post, mid-goal and far post areas. Finish with a shot or header on goal.Progression: When the wide player gets the ball in the channel the opposing wide player on his side of the field may run into his area to challenge the cross.

Crossing and Finishing

Individual 1 v 1

Objective: To be able to defend in 1 v 1 situations & learn how to slow down attackers and win the ball back. Detail: Set up 20 x 40 area with cones marking out every 10. Within that area will be 4 channels of 20 x 10. Spilt group into 4 and give a channel each with a small goal at one end. Practice starts 1v1 and P1 (defender) passing into P2 (attacker) then closing down. Objective for P2 is to try and beat the defender and then score into goal. Objective for P1 to win the ball back and counter. Rotate around and rest whilst remaining players have a go. To begin the practice make sure the pass is quality & accurate. Delay & Deny Defender needs to immediately press the ball, reduce space for attacker to work in & reduce decision making time. Body shape/position - side on, low centre of gravity, front font defending, show away from danger or onto weaker side. Speed - Quick to reduce space then de accelerate on approach to give enough time to get into a good shape and position. Be patient and wait for trigger (heavy touch, head down, weaker side etc) to steal the ball.

Defending

Minefield Passing

In both the wide channels put one defender and two attackers. Both attackers in the same rectangle must touch the ball before trying to pass to the other attackers. However the ball is not allowed to touch the floor in the minefield area (middle box). If the pass doesn't find its intended recipient because it falls short or is intercepted the player who passed the ball swaps over with the defender in their area.

Possession

Retreating Defence

Objective: Opposed practice developing recovery runs and increase understanding on roles and responsibilities. Detail: Mark out 4 channels / areas 15 x 30 (age / ability dependant). Players are organised into groups of 4. Each group work within a channel. Player one serves the ball to player 3 who attempts to beat player 2. Player 2 must retreat into own half before applying pressure.

Defending

Shooting across goal

Set up two goals, one at either end of the half pitch and two narrow channels (with cones), one to the left and the other to the right of the goals. Players must dribble with the ball using both feet through the channel towards goal. When they are within 15m of the goal they should prepare to shoot, with a shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

Shooting

Wonder Wingers

Set up 4 meter wide channels along each sideline. Play 3 vs 3 in the middle area (between the channels) with a goalkeeper at both ends. Station one player in each channel. The object of the game is to get the ball to your wide player as quickly as possible. As soon as the wide player receives the ball they should sprint to the goal line and cross the ball in towards the goal to their team mates who are attacking the near and far posts.

Crossing and Finishing

3 vs 2 - Two channels 1 v 1 sk...

2 players in one channel attack 1 defender whilst another attacker and defender wait in the other channel. The 2 attackers in the first channel play a 2 vs 1, trying to score a goal. However the 2nd defender can choose to come across and help defend making it a 2 vs 2 . Having drawn both defenders across into one channel the 2 attackers may choose to use the other channel and exploit the open space or continue to attack without using the unmarked player.

General

Crossing from Channel Players ...

1) Only wide players allowed in channel. 2) A goal must come from a cross or direct result of a crossed ball. 3) Compete 5 v 5 in middle and limit to 2 touches. Wide players have unlimited touches. 4) Condition game and coach what you see.

General

Passing through the channel Pa...

Set up a playing area, divided into three equal sized playing areas. Players cannot enter another zone.To begin with play 6 attackers (3 in both ends) v 1 defender in the middle.The aim for the attackers is to use good passing movement to create space for the pass into the opposite zone.

General

Shooting across goal Shooting ...

Set up two goals, one at either end of the half pitch and two narrow channels (with cones), one to the left and the other to the right of the goals.Players must dribble with the ball using both feet through the channel towards goal. When they are within 15m of the goal they should prepare to shoot, with a shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

General

Wonder Wingers Crossing and Fi...

Set up 4 meter wide channels along each sideline. Play 3 vs 3 in the middle area (between the channels) with a goalkeeper at both ends. Station one player in each channel. The object of the game is to get the ball to your wide player as quickly as possible. As soon as the wide player receives the ball they should sprint to the goal line and cross the ball in towards the goal to their team mates who are attacking the near and far posts.

General

Early Cross Crossing and Finis...

Set out 5 x 15 yard channels in each corner of the area as shown in the diagram. Station one player in each channel. Play 2 v 2 in central area.The goalkeeper serves the ball to one of his two teammates in the central area. The goal is to get the ball to either of your teams players stationed in a channel. This player delivers a crossed ball into the attacking area. The two attacking players stagger their runs into the near post, mid-goal and far post areas. Finish with a shot or header on goal.<br>Progression: When the wide player gets the ball in the channel the opposing wide player on his side of the field may run into his area to challenge the cross.

General

Retreating Defence Defending -...

Objective: Opposed practice developing recovery runs and increase understanding on roles and responsibilities. Detail: Mark out 4 channels / areas 15 x 30 (age / ability dependant). Players are organised into groups of 4. Each group work within a channel. Player one serves the ball to player 3 who attempts to beat player 2. Player 2 must retreat into own half before applying pressure.

General

Wingmen Conditioned games - Fo...

Played across a half pitch. The red team have a player outside the dotted lines - to promote the use of width. The blue team must play inside the middle channel, and score between either of their two smaller goals.

General

Minefield Passing Possession -...

In both the wide channels put one defender and two attackers. Both attackers in the same rectangle must touch the ball before trying to pass to the other attackers. However the ball is not allowed to touch the floor in the minefield area (middle box). If the pass doesn't find its intended recipient because it falls short or is intercepted the player who passed the ball swaps over with the defender in their area.  

General

Overloading Conditioned games ...

The pitch set up has a defending zone and an attacking zone, divided by a midfield channel. The defending zone and attacking zone have 2 defenders and 2 attackers in each zone. The midfield channel has 2 neutral (no.10) players inside. The defenders receive the ball from the goalkeeper and play through to one of the neutral midfield players (with the attacking players trying to stop this). The neutral players then play into the attacking players and join the attacking zone to create a 3v2 overload. Try to score in the opposition goal. Progression 1: Neutral players are split iinto one player for each team (i.e. one becomes blue, one red). These players are unnoposed to begin with in the central channel (but this makes only one midfield player to play into from the defensive zone).Progression 2: Central zone players become opposed (i.e. the opposition midfield player can intercetpt etc). The ball can be set back from the midfield players into the defensive players to play through into the attacking zone. Progression 3: The midfield players can drop into the defensive zone to make a 3v2 overload.

General

Pinball Conditioned games - So...

Team stay in own half, except for 2 players from each team who are put in the other section. Each team shoots at earliest opportunity. Start the game with one ball and build it up to a number of balls. The two players in the opposite half score from rebounds or interceptions.

General

Scoring From Crosses Crossing ...

Player 2 receives the ball from player 1. <BR> Player 2 receives the ball on the half turn towards the touchline. <BR> Player 2 travels with the ball and crosses the ball into the penalty area for the attacking player.

General

Run out to the player - 1v1 De...

Set up a line of defenders on both sides of your 18 yard box and two lines of attackers roughly in line with the edge of the center circle.On the coach's call the attackers should sprint towards the goal. At the same time the defender should run out and try to do the following:Get themselves between the attacker and the goal.Try to channel the attacker out towards the wing.Slow the attacker down to force their head down.If possible make the interception

General

1 Vs. 1 Channelling Defending ...

Two teams line up side by side behind their cones. When the player with the ball sets off to run around the cone the drill is live. The player with the ball must run around the cone and then try to score a goal in the defender's side goal by dribbling the ball across the line. This will score them a point. The defenders have to try and force the player to run across their own goal line or tackle them and run the ball over the line themselves. The winner is the first team to 3 goals. After this you can swap the roles around, with the attackers now defending and vice versa.

General

Change Soccer Conditioned game...

Position 3 players who link arms or hold hands on the goal line. Play 3 v 3 until coach shouts, &quot;Change!&quot; then the chain breaks and the team previously out on the field becomes the chain in goal. The original chain players now become field players. 3 players from each team form a human chain by linking arms or holding hands. These players are stationed on the goal line in front of a goal approximately 8 yards wide. The team in possession must attempt to score past the human chain defending the opposing goal. Goals and saves are each worth 1 point(players in the chain are not allowed to use their hands to defend the goal and must control the ball within 5 yards to score).

General

Diamond formation practice Def...

Diamond formation midfield in an 11 a side game. Reds vs blue.Set up in the formation:2 strikers, diamond midfield, 4 defenders and a GK.The midfield players are attempting to channel the attackers to one side of play, to keep pushing them out towards the side and limit their options.Encourage individuals to channel the ball and contain players in certain areas and to be aware of covering other Defenders.

General

1 v 1 Passing Grid 1 v 1 skill...

The Object of this drill is to retain the ball whilst moving it from end to end.The Setup requires 6 grids and 3 groups of 4 player arranged as the diagram shows. In each central grid there is an attacker marked by a defender. The end grids contain neutral players as a passing option.The attackers start with the ball and work together to create passing channels to manover the ball towards the opposite end. When the defenders win the ball they immediatly become the attackers. The neutral players are always a passing option to the current attackers

General

Four Goal Football Conditioned...

Play small sided game in a suitable area (e.g half field 6v6). Two teams attempt to score in any of the goals. A goal counts if the ball is passed through the goals and one of your teammates receives the pass round the otherside of the goal. The game is continued so it does not stop after every goal.

General

Finding space - Team exercise ...

Player 2 curves their run away from the passer before then cutting back to the ball. Player 2 receives the ball and turns towards goal in 1 fluid motion. Player 2 then delivers a cross for the waiting centre forward.

General

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channels SESSIONS
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Developing Quick Play

Play with a tempo that the opposition can?t handle. Discover combinations on the field to get the ball moving quickly and cut open defences.
channels ANSWERS
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how can I progress this session?

Cedric Pisani Coach, Malta

How can i teach the team not to herd the ball

I am a coach with a U12 girls team, we are having difficulty keeping them in their zones...they all rush to where the ball is and the other team passes into the open area and then socre.

Archived User Coach

How do I teach channel passing?

What are some good drills to teach 10/11 year olds how to identify and pass into the channels? Asked using Sportplan on Mobile

Archived User Coach

Positioning ( staying in positions)

I am wondering if there is any drills to help teach kids to stay in positions they are a young age group so its hard so I am wondering if anyone has any ideas

Nat taylor Coach, England

BUILD-UP PLAY

How does this session encourage build-up play?

Nder Isaac Ibrahim Coach, Nigeria

How can i teach the team not t...

I am a coach with a U12 girls team, we are having difficulty keeping them in their zones...they all rush to where the ball is and the other team passes into the open area and then socre.

Archived User Coach

STRIKER VS DEFENDER SESSION HE...

IS THERE ANY SESSIONS THAT CAN IMPROVE STRIKERS AND DEFENDERS IN 1V1 SITUATIONS FROM CROSSES AND FROM STRAIGHT ON

Tom England Coach, England
channels COMMUNITY DRILLS
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1v1 Channels

5 v 5 open passing channels game

Passing Channels

Crossing from wide areas

Copy of Playing Through Wide Areas

3v2 Channel

7v7 w/ channels

4v3 Channels

Small Sided Game - 6 x 6 - Focus on Wide Play

Defensive Shape+Penetration passes

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